MPP Ernie Hardeman introduced a bill today, that if approved would allow Oxford County to block the proposed mega landfill in Zorra Township.
WOODSTOCK - The MPP for Oxford County has introduced a private members bill that would give municipalities the right to approve the location of new landfill sites in their communities.
Ernie Hardeman introduced the bill today, that if approved would allow Oxford County for example to block the proposed mega landfill in Zorra Township near Ingersoll.
Currently, waste companies only need approval from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
Hardeman says the bill makes a lot of sense.
“Municipalities can choose where a new Tim Horton's is located, but they don’t have the same authority when it comes to landfill projects. This bill respects Ontario communities, and will give towns and cities the ability to decide their own future.”
Ingersoll Mayor Ted Comiskey and Zorra Township councillor Marcus Ryan were in Toronto today to show their support for the Private Members Bill.
Comiskey is also leads the Demand the Right Coalition and he says the people of Ontario support this bill.
"Ontarians are tired of the provincial government unilaterally imposing everything from windfarms to landfill sites onto local communities. This bill would give us the right to say yes or no to these kinds of projects.”
According to a recent poll by Public Square, nearly 8 out of 10 Ontarian's feel municipalities should have a say in whether they host landfills, contrary to the current legislation.
Councillor Ryan says this legislation is very important.
“Any community outside the GTHA is a potential site for future mega dumps like Zorra is facing; and currently there’s nothing we can do about it. We have to change that.”
The bill still needs to pass through several readings before it can become law.
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