Ontario Fulfilling Commitment to Give Municipalities Say Over Landfill Locations

WOODSTOCK – The Ontario Government announced this week that, as part of the proposed COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, municipalities will have a say in the future placement of landfill sites.

This legislation, if passed, would provide municipalities more involvement in environmental assessments by allowing them to either support or reject the location of new landfills. This is part of a larger plan to modernize the environmental assessment process and fulfills a direct election commitment made in 2018.

“Our government believes landfills should be located in communities that are a willing host,” said Ernie Hardeman, MPP for Oxford. “This is an issue our community and I have been trying to address for many years and I wish to commend the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Jeff Yurek for proposing to modernize the environmental assessment process and giving municipalities more say in landfill locations. We believe that local municipalities are able to make decisions that are best for their communities and I’m happy to see Premier Ford fulfilling this campaign promise.”

The proposed legislation would enact a key part of the Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan and allow towns a say in where landfills belong if they are located within the municipality or in an adjacent municipally if the location is within 3.5 kilometers of town lines. This will help to empower municipalities by ensuring that their concerns are addressed when it comes to waste management and is an important step towards a safe and sustainable future.

“I have heard first-hand from constituents and local volunteers about how important this is as a local issue and have been proud to work alongside Ingersoll Mayor Comiskey to advocate for this change,” added Hardeman. “I am proud to be part of a government that gives municipalities a real say in the needs of their communities.”

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Media inquiries please contact:

Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford

(519) 537-5222