The mayor of Chatham-Kent says a new website recently launched by proponents of a landfill in Dresden is a contrived effort to trick residents into believing that anything has changed with plans to revive the dormant dump.
The municipality said it's aware of a newly launched website named ‘Sustainable Dresden’ operated by a public relations (PR) firm retained by York1 Environmental Solutions, and it doesn't change its opposition to the proposed project.
The municipality noted it has not been contacted by York1 about its desire to meet with decision-makers and local groups to support local infrastructure priorities and local initiatives, despite York1 claims. Although, it admitted there were a couple of high-level discussions with York1 in 2022, but they went nowhere because details were never received.
The content of the website outlines a proposed waste management plan that bears striking resemblance to the landfill proposal previously brought forward and firmly opposed by Chatham-Kent council, community members, and neighbouring First Nations last year, the said municipality on Thursday afternoon.
The municipality said it's committed to protecting the health, environment, and quality of life of residents, adding the proposed landfill plan, in any form, is not aligned with council’s long-term vision for Chatham-Kent.
“Our message is clear: we do not support this project,” said Mayor Canniff. “No matter how they attempt to spin it or dress it up, we will continue to fight to ensure Dresden is not used as a dumping ground. We are working closely with our community partners and neighbouring Indigenous Nations, who have voiced strong and rightful opposition to any development that puts the land, water, and people at risk.”
Ward 4 councillors Jamie McGrail and Rhonda Jubenville are both opposed to the landfill as well.
“I am hopeful that the overwhelming opposition to Bill 5 will be heard by the provincial government and that a full, comprehensive Environmental Assessment that was promised last year, will be put back on the table,” said Jubenville. “By ignoring the devastating environmental impacts that will most undoubtedly ensue if the EA is not completed, it will potentially devastate the community of Dresden, the surrounding waterways like Molly’s Creek and the Sydenham River, and the local species at risk, not to mention the nearby agricultural lands and air."
Landfill critics also noted the high volume of truck traffic would be detrimental to the community and would take a toll on roads and nearby communities.
York1 hired the new PR firm last week and the head of the company has strong ties to the Ontario PC Party.
The municipality also said the decision on whether to approve the proposal lies with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. However, the decision on whether to approve land use approvals to change the use of this property lies with council.
Click here for more information about what the municipality has done and can do to stop the landfill.