Food and Water First
Food Water First
About UsNDACT
(North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce, Inc.)
We are an incorporated, not for profit, entity which was formed in January 2009 by concerned citizens from Melancthon and Mulmur Townships.
The NDACT executive board was formed by a group of volunteers nominated by community members.
At the inaugural meeting, members of the community gathered to voice their concerns and to find out more about The Highland Companies plans regarding the more than 6,000 acres of prime agricultural land that they had amassed as of that date. Up to that point in time, and for a lengthy period of time afterwards, Highland reiterated to the community that they had been acquiring large tracts of agricultural land solely with a view to creating a world class farming operation, but residents were highly skeptical.
By the date of the meeting, there was a growing suspicion in the area that other plans were afoot, although the applicant would not clearly admit so. There was significant evidence that the applicant was undertaking activities that were inconsistent with its stated intentions (of just being interested in potato farming) including well testing and drilling, archaeological studies, woodlot and fence row clearing and the demolition of homesteads. Highland stated that these activities were merely to improve their farming operations.
Timeline of Events 2006 - Jan 2010
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- Published on Monday, 07 November 2011 12:23
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The events that occurred during this time period precipitated the formation of NDACT.
2006 Was When it all Began
2006-2009 – Lowndes/Highlands purchases large tracts of prime agricultural land in Melancthon, under the guise of having the area’s largest potato operation. They pay about $1-$2,000 an acre above the going rate. To date Highland, under a variety of numbered companies, owns about 6,000-7,000 acres of prime agricultural land in Melancthon.
2007 – Highlands begins clear cutting thousands and thousands of trees in contravention of the County tree cutting bylaw.
2007-2009 – Citizens make repeated calls to the County regarding the illegal tree cutting. County staff reply to all complaints that there is nothing untoward going on.
2007- Test wells are drilled in several locations, suggesting more than an interest in farming.
2008- Having assembled the acreage it needs, Highland turns its attention to purchasing smaller properties. The homeowners living adjacent to the license area are in a position to vigorously object to their proposals as they may be the most affected by water, noise, air, and dust.
Summer 2008 - A concerned citizen attends Council requesting they move to designate all of the company’s proposed activities (beyond farming potatoes) under the Environmental Assessment Act. Council declines to take action.
2008 - Orangeville signs an agreement with Highlands to sell their portion of the rail line for $5 million, contingent on Orangeville ensuring that a portion of the rail line that Orangeville does not own (but the County does) gets sold to Highlands. Orangeville stands to realize an additional $2 million to ensure this sale happens. Note: Orangeville has a weighted vote at the County and as a result has the required votes at County to ensure this happens.
Aug 2008 – Highlands demolishes the first of 20 homes, and takes all unsorted debris, including insulation, wiring, glass, brick, and appliances to the Melancthon landfill. Melancthon Council denies at a public meeting in July 2009 that the house went to the landfill.
Aug 2008 – A group of concerned ratepayers attend Melancthon council re: demolition of houses and business transactions between elected officials and Lowndes.
2009 – The County commences an action against Orangeville regarding the rail issue, claiming Orangeville has a conflict of interest due to the $2 million agreement regarding the County lands that Orangeville does not own.
Jan 2009 – A group of concerned farmers and ratepayers hold a meeting in Honeywood attended by more than 300 individuals/citizens. The North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) is formed. Highland spokesperson requests, and is granted time to speak, but does not reveal the extent of the Companies' quarry plans.
Jan 2009 – A private citizen begins a campaign to have Melancthon Council post agenda items in advance of meetings. Council responds with a legal opinion from Osyany stating that would be a violation of privacy issues. The ratepayer responds with a $2,400.00 legal opinion that in fact Melancthon MUST post agendas to be in compliance with the Municipal Act, 2001. Council starts posting agendas in June 2009.
Feb 2009 – Immediately after NDACT’s January meeting in Honeywood, at which it was revealed by a ratepayer that in fact Lowndes/Highlands has been in touch with at least 3 provincial ministries regarding his plans for an open pit mine, Highlands issues a news release stating they have never denied their intention of searching for aggregates.
Feb – June 2009 – NDACT lobbies Melancthon Council and County Council regarding illegal tree cutting pursuant to the County’s bylaw. Melancthon defers to the County. NDACT proves to the County that Highlands contravened the tree cutting bylaw NINE times, but Council declines to fine Highlands.
Feb – June 2009 – NDACT lobbies Melancthon Council to move the lands into a special agricultural designation. No action from Council is taken.
Apr 2009 – County gets a ruling from the Court that Orangeville is in violation the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act regarding the agreement on the sale of the rail line. Orangeville files an appeal of the ruling.
Apr 2009 – John Lowndes of Highland Companies is invited to attend a meeting of Council to defend the number of local jobs that were included in Highlands DVD that was sent out. To date he has declined to attend. May 2009 – Melancthon issues Highlands the second of what will be a total of 20 permits to demolish century homes and barns. At a public meeting in June Highland spokesperson stated the homes were all declared unfit (the Building Inspector denies this) and Highland representative further stated that the number of homes would be less than double digits.
May 2009 – Highland advises they will be filing for an aggregate license within 3-6 months.
June 2009 – NDACT holds a public meeting at the Honeywood arena attended by more than 400 individuals. At this meeting, Kate Armstrong, 5th generation on the same farm in Melancthon, resounds her passionate plea, which brought tears to the majority of the audience.
Jul 2009 - Highlands holds an open house revealing plans for a 2400 acre aggregate area with extraction well below the water table.
Aug 2009 – Delegation to Council regarding passing a bylaw under Section 33 of the Planning Act to stop demolition of structures. Council took no action and in fact said the information being presented by ratepayers was not true.
Aug 2009 – Delegation to Council with a menu of options and steps to take action PRIOR to an application being filed.
Sept 2009 – Council holds a public meeting in Honeywood with Ministry representatives in attendance.
Sept 2009 - Highlands continues to demolish and burn structures including century homes.
Sept - Dec 2009 - Melancthon citizens lobby against a YMCA until it is determined how much it will cost Melancthon ratepayers and how it will impact the existing Honeywood arena.
Dec 2009 – Municipal Planner Jorden advises in a letter to ratepayers that Section 33 will NOT stop the demolition of existing homes.
Dec 2009 – Council pays for an opinion from another planner and asks for public input on a bylaw under Section 33 of the Planning Act to stop the demolition of homes.
Dec 2009 – Court of appeals at Osgoode Hall hears Orangeville’s appeal on railway conflict of interest-defers decision to 2010. Large presence of Highlands lawyers in attendance, who sat very close to Orangeville lawyers and conferred during breaks. Court deferred decision until 2010.
Dec 2009 – The lobbyist organization Ontario Sand and Gravel Association, who advocates on behalf of aggregate operations, attends a Melancthon Council meeting on the invitation of the Mayor and offers to assist Council through Highland’s process.
Dec 2009 – NDACT representatives meet with MP David Tilson, MPP Sylvia Jones, Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield, McGuinty representative Aaron Freeman amongst others.
Jan 2010 – Council asks again for public input on a bylaw under Section 33 of the Planning Act to stop the demolition of homes. Deadline for input letters/emails is January 29th.
Jan 2010 – NDACT holds public meeting at Honeywood arena.
www.ndact.com