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Federal interest in proposed quarry grows
Environment Minister, MPs tour Melancthon
By Bill TremblayAug 01, 2012 - 3:08 PM
The Highland Companies plan to mine aggregate in Melancthon is
gaining
interest at the federal level.
On Wednesday (July 25), four Toronto-based NDP MPs joined about
50 of their
constituents to tour the area of the proposed 2,316-acre
quarry.
The thought of losing that agricultural land and not knowing
what the impact will
be on the water system there made a big impression on me, said
Parkdale-High
Park MP Peggy Nash.
The proposed quarry issue returned to Nashs riding on Monday
(July 30), when
the MP held a town hall-style meeting for about 60 of her
constituents.
Some already knew all about the issue, others had seen signs
around and didnt
know much about it, Nash said.
The scope of Highlands plans surprised those who attended the
meeting, Nash
explained.
People were really shocked at the extent of it and that the
government would
allow something so extensive without the proper assessments,
Nash said.
Hours before the town hall meeting, Dufferin-Caledon MP David
Tilson, Federal
Environment Minister Peter Kent, MP for Thornhill, and
Wellington-Halton Hills
MP Michael Chong toured the Highlands proposed quarry area and
met with
Melancthon residents.
We took the minister on a tour just to show him how massive the
site was, and
explain to him what Highlands has been doing to date, Tilson
said. The purpose
was so he understands what is being done there, what has been
done and what
will be done up there.
Tilson said the tour helped educate Kent on the seriousness of
the issue.
There was very little pressure put on him, Tilson said.
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No promises were made regarding the possibility of a federal
Environmental
Assessment (EA).
Im doing my best. Im reading a petition a week when the house is
sitting andmeeting with the minister, Tilson said. I havent given
up hope. Im going to
keep trying.
In September, Nash wrote Kent requesting the federal government
conduct an
EA. She argued the possible impact on fish and wildlife
habitats, water and First
Nation communities should serve as a trigger for a federal
EA.
At the time, the minster wrote back and said he disagreed and
didnt think an
assessment was needed, Nash said, adding she will continue to
make similarrequests. Maybe he will be as impressed as I was, and
maybe he will
reconsider.
The federal government has contracted the Nottawasaga
Conservation Authority
to examine the possible effect the proposed quarry may have on
sources of
water in the area. Completion of the report is expected by
2013.
If they say its serious, well, then I will really be strongly
recommending the
minister have an Environmental Assessment, Tilson said.
Carl Cosack, chair of the North Dufferin Agricultural and
Community Taskforce
(NDACT) welcomed the federal attention the quarry has
garnered.
The goal without a doubt is to have a non-partisan look at the
facts in this
application and to see where federal involvement is necessary,
Cosack said.
More scrutiny will be brought to this application. Thats
absolutely what we are
asking for, more factual scrutiny.
Cosack also embraced public interest in the quarry plan from
Toronto residents.
If the city helps us raise the profile to decision makers, we
are extremely
grateful.
Nash believes the scope of the quarry is what has prompted
growing interest
among Torontonians.
