The following release has been issued by the Council of Canadians
Liberals to allow prorogation to kill Bill 32
The McGuinty government’s prorogation of the legislature will kill the private member’s bill that would prevent Site 41 in Simcoe County from becoming a landfill. Further eroding the government’s credibility on water issues, Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen’s comments in the legislature this week show that he does not understand the proposed landfill project, says the Council of Canadians.
When confirming that Bill 32 would not survive prorogation, the Minister said in the Ontario legislature that the approval of the site was based on “the best scientific information that’s available”.
“In fact the information Minister Gerretsen is relying on to make his decision has never been peer reviewed and there is ample evidence that this critical information is wrong,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson for the Council of Canadians. “The most important data still needs to be released to the public. His Ministry has never seen it but accepts it as proof that toxins from the proposed dump will not contaminate the community’s groundwater. Minister Gerretsen promised to request for the data to be made public last year but he has failed to do so. The community will not be satisfied until all the evidence is transparent.”
Site 41 is located near Elmvale in Ontario and the proposed landfill has been opposed by the local community for more than twenty-five years. As construction began opposition reached a head and a month-long blockade of construction at the site last summer convinced the Simcoe County Council to pass a resolution prohibiting the use of the site as a county dump.
At the provincial level, Bill 32, introduced by MPP Garfield Dunlop would revoke the Certificate of Approval issued by the MOE that allows the site to be used for landfill. Opponents argue that as long as the Certificate exists, the resolution could be disregarded and the site could be again proposed as a landfill by the County or sold to a private landfill company.
“Senior citizens have put their bodies on the line and been arrested to protect the water for their grandkids. How can the Minister allow this to continue? Whose interests was he elected to protect?” asked Barlow. “The McGuinty government must allow Bill 32 to succeed and the facts surrounding the real impacts of the dump to be made transparent.”
“Our Simcoe region chapter is working hard with the community to protect the purest groundwater ever tested. They deserve more than government stonewalling,” concluded Barlow.
Is anyone surprised? Sad state of affairs. Only one way to win this war. That is to politically annihalate the enemy once and for all.
jim tolnai
Unfortunately, it has become abundantly clear that the McGuinty Liberals have no wish to protect our environment. The only way this Province can be safe from this kind of incompetent governing will come in 2011 when the Ontario voters can reclaim and restore this Province to HAVE status. Right now the situation is pathetic. Never in the history of this great Province, have things sunk so low. Thanks Dalton and company!
so if the government does not serve the people ,
whom then do they serve.
Thank you Maude Barlow for sending this clear message to Minister Gerretsen that we demand our water be protected and DS41 C of A revoked!!
Minister Gerretsen you are to protect the environment – you aren’t!
The solution to pollution is NOT dilution!!!
Stand up and do the job you are mandated to do for the people of this province!
Good question Mr. Wilson. Now that we know who they don’t serve which is We the people then that only leaves MONEY that they serve.
Politics is a strange occupation. The partys have had over a century to build their networks throughout Ontario’s Countys. They draw their strength from Countys which draw their strength from their own municipalities. It is, in my mind going to be a long haul to change the provincial power bases to listen to and represent us. That is why here in Simcoe County we need to first change those in power for a new bold, honest and caring group who will lead us to real political change throughout the 16 municipalities that make up Simcoe County. We have our chance this fall to make a start which will really be the begining of the end for cronyism, nepatosim and the transfer of public money to a few well connected private pockets. Nothing will change unless we the people can elect a minimum of 18 like minded people who put the people’s interest ahead of self interest. Only question is can we do it? So everyone please plan to attend The first Spring into Action meeting to be held Saturday, March 20, 2010, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Barrie Methodist Church, 284 Cundles Rd. East, Barrie. Change will never come from protests and deputations unless they are followed up by political action by electing a new type of people who care more for the environment and future generations than they do for their personal greed. The election is ours to lose.
jim tolnai