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Mega-Quarry Proposal Triggers Review of Act

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Published on Tuesday, 20 September 2011 15:21
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Media Release

 Liberals commit to review of Aggregate Resources Act

September 20, 2011

Toronto, ON 

 

Following months of heated controversy regarding a mega-quarry proposal for Melancthon Township south of Collingwood, Lori Holloway, the Ontario Liberal candidate for Dufferin-Caledon, confirmed today that the Ontario Liberal Party has committed to a review of the Ontario Aggregate Resources Act.

 

Carl Cossack, Vice Chairman of North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) and a key leader of opposition to the mega-quarry project, thinks this is a step in the right direction: “We thank the Ontario government for their understanding of the facts of the mega-quarry application that have led to this announcement," he says.

The mega-quarry in question is one proposed by The Highland Companies, a Canadian corporation backed by Boston-based hedge fund the Baupost Group. It would turn prime southern Ontario farmland into a 2,316-acre open pit quarry—Canada’s largest. It would also plunge 200 feet below the water table in a recharge area for the headwaters of five rivers, requiring daily dewatering of some 600 million liters to keep the quarry dry."

The review will identify where pits and quarries will be allowed to operate, balancing environmental, community and economic concerns and taking best practices from other regions into account."

“We want to work together with the community and the aggregate industry to make sure future quarries align with the expectations of Ontarians,” said Holloway.

“This is very welcome news,” says John Werring, Aquatic Habitat Specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation. “For far too long the Aggregate Resources Act has been out of synch with the desires of the citizens of Ontario for greater industry accountability, more meaningful public input into aggregate projects and more responsible and sustainable use and development of these resources. Clearly, change is needed.”

The review is expected to draw upon research conducted through the 2010 State of the Aggregate Resource in Ontario Study (SAROS), and consultations with stakeholders. It will also build on new voluntary initiatives that have brought together environmental and industry players.

NDACT and the David Suzuki Foundation hope that all elected representatives will work together after the election to expeditiously ensure this Act is amended to put an end to the conflicts that arise where it comes to aggregate resource development.

Carl Michener
Outwrite Communications 

Source: David Suzuki Foundation