Signed, Sealed & Delivered

Monday, 28 October 2013 16:30

Ernie Hardeman delivers bankers boxes worth of letters to Jim Bradley at Queen's Park today.

Oxford's MPP delivers landfill letters of concern, then speaks against Walker's proposal in the legislature

Oxford's MPP is drawing attention to the plight of local citizens fighting against a proposed landfill.

Ernie Hardeman stood up in the Ontario Legislature this afternoon and commended local citizens for their action against the landfill proposal. He then called on the Minister of Environment, Jim Bradley, to ensure a landfill is not allowed to jeopardize Oxford County’s access to safe, clean water.

Earlier this morning, Hardeman delivered the 13,000 letters he received from the community Friday to personally deliver to Bradley.

Local residents still have time to chime in on the Walker Landfill proposal. The deadline for public comments is Wednesday.

Here's the transcript of Hardeman's speech in the legislature today:

"Mr. Speaker, this morning I delivered almost 13,000 letters to the Minister of the Environment from people in my riding.

They are people who are gravely concerned about the proposal to put a landfill site in a quarry in Beachville.

People who are concerned about the impact on our environment, especially our water. I share their worry about locating a landfill that close to the Thames River and on fractured limestone.

While people have a right to apply for a landfill, the Minister has a duty to turn that application down if it will put groundwater at risk.

I want to commend everyone who took time to share their concerns – from the lawn signs and sign rallies, to the petitions I’ve read in this Legislature, to the letters and emails they sent to the Minister – including the 13,000 I delivered today.

I want to applaud the work of the community organizations– Oxford People Against Landfill, Oxford Coalition for Social Justice, Ingersoll Nature Club and Green Watch.

I’ve been pleased to meet with many of them and I know they have worked hard not only to raise serious concerns about the landfill but to make the community aware of the proposal and how everyone can have a say.

Comments on the draft terms of reference are due by October 30 – so we need to ensure that our community’s concerns are heard loud and clear.

Today I want to add my voice to theirs and ask the Minister of Environment to ensure that a landfill is not allowed to jeopardize Oxford County’s access to safe, clean water."