By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent says it will continue to oppose a proposed landfill near Dresden despite the Ontario legislature’s recent passage of Bill 5 — legislation local officials say could pose significant risks to the community, other municipalities and Indigenous Nations across the province.
Council and staff say they remain committed to defending Dresden and will continue working with community and provincial partners.
Since York1 filed a notice with the Environmental Registry of Ontario in February 2024, revealing the scope of the project at 29831 Irish School Rd., the municipality, council and community members have raised concerns about its potential environmental and social impacts.
The introduction of Bill 5 has only heightened those concerns. Municipal officials say the legislation could undermine local governance, weaken environmental oversight and bypass meaningful consultation with Indigenous Nations.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said the legislation does not reflect the values or needs of the municipality or the Dresden community.
“We are incredibly disappointed with the passing of this bill, but we are not giving up,” Canniff said. “Our community is resilient. We will continue to stand up and fight for Dresden, for our neighbouring communities, and for Indigenous Nations all over Ontario.
“We urge the Government of Ontario to reconsider the implications of this legislation, to listen to the concerns of communities like ours, and to respect the rights of all Ontarians — especially Indigenous communities, whose voices must not be ignored as stewards of the land.”
Ward 4 Coun. Rhonda Jubenville said she was “truly disheartened” by the passage of the bill, despite opposition from Chatham-Kent, Walpole Island First Nation and other Indigenous Peoples across Ontario.
“I am saddened that our elected MPPs didn’t stand against the portion of Bill 5 that threatened Dresden,” Jubenville said. “I am hopeful that they will still work with us to provide the best possible outcome in this unfortunate situation.”
Jubenville said her biggest concern is the elimination of a full environmental assessment for the landfill, a process she said would have ensured safeguards to protect people, land, farms, tributaries and air quality.
“I will continue to work with Chatham-Kent to oppose this project and give hope to a positive outcome in the end,” she said.
Fellow Ward 4 Coun. Jamie McGrail also voiced her disappointment, saying the municipality must now regroup.
“This is a difficult moment, but also time to regroup,” McGrail said. “I will be taking my direction through municipal administration, but make no mistake — I will continue to engage and fight alongside Dresden and the municipality as we move forward with the environmental compliance approval process.”
Be the first to comment