By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
When it comes to fighting the York1 landfill, Ted Hsu isn’t giving up.
And he’s doesn’t want Dresden to either.
“I want to thank all of you for standing up,” he told a crowd of 50 gathered at a Dresden Together community meeting Aug. 22. “What you’re doing here is standing up for every community in Ontario.”
Hsu, Liberal MPP for Kingston and the Islands, serves the party’s critic for agricultural and rural affairs, energy, mining, forestry and natural resources. He’s keeping a close watch on the York1 situation and has vowed to advocate for the community and keep the “Dresden Promise.”
Since coming to light early in 2024, the controversial landfill has seen strong opposition. Grassroot community groups have formed, and leading organizations – such as Environmental Defense Canada – are going to bat for the community.
The proposed landfill to be located at 29831 Irish School Rd. would be capable of accepting 6,000 tonnes of construction waste per day, and the site would also feature a regenerative recycling facility, soil washing and a new leachate ponding system.
Following the outcry in 2024, former Environment Minister Andrea Khanjin agreed to place a comprehensive environmental assessment on the development, However, that was reversed when the province passed Bill 5 – Unleashing Our Economy to Protect Ontario Act on June 5.
The legislation specifically named the York1 Dresden project, with Premier Doug Ford stating the landfill needs to go ahead because of U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Ford, Ontario’s landfill capacity will be overwhelmed if Trump closes the border to Ontario’s garbage, stating 40 per cent is now shipped to Michigan and New York state.
But Hsu said it doesn’t wash and the entire province should be worried.
“Everybody should be perplexed…why Dresden?” Hsu questioned. “Why was Dresden singled out in Bill 5?
“The government in Bill 5 has given itself a lot of discretionary powers,” he added, noting the province has “immense discretionary executive powers to exempt any company or project from any law” in the legislation.
It’s the second time Hsu has visited the area since the York1 news broke in 2024. This time around, Walpole Island First Nation officials took him on a tour of local waterways showing him Molly’s Creek and how it links to the Sydenham River and the Great Lakes system.
Molly’s Creek is adjacent to the site.
Earlier this year, Hsu sought an Ontario integrity commissioner probe into political ties between donors affiliated with York1 and Ford and three ministers. However, he recently learned the request was denied as it did not meet the necessary evidence threshold.
But that’s not stopping Hsu, saying he will continue to advocate for Dresden and to repeal Bill 5.
“We will keep fighting…it’s not the end of the story,” Hsu said. “I want to stand up for government that does what is right…one that’s working for Chatham-Kent and not just their friends.”
