Heather Wright/The Independent

Dresden and Walpole Island First Nation took their fight against Bill 5 directly to Queen’s Park.

Members of the Bkejwanong First Nation and Dresden CARED protested the Protect Ontario by Unleashing the Economy Act which will allow York1 Environmental to proceed with a construction and soil recycling depot and landfill at the former Dresden dump without a full Environmental Assessment. Then, they held a news conference demanding the province reinstate the promised EA.

“Will he revoke the dormant landfill license that is 43 years outdated,” asked Dresden CARED’s Stefan Premdas. “Will he withdraw Dresden from Bill five? And if not, will he at least live up to his election promises and his words that this project would go through the comprehensive environmental assessment.”

Premdas say there could be grave environmental dangers to waterways and groundwater.

“Who among you wants to drink that water or eat the fish out of that river or that lake, knowing that there will be toxic bio accumulation within the fish in our waterways? But more importantly, who here has ever said to themselves, I’m willing to move to the front doors of an 18 meter high, stinky landfill, where the ministry has already warned that the ground cover would prevent our aquifer from recharging, and could potentially, based on the current geology, trigger a collapse,” Premdas said.

Walpole Island First Nation Chief Leela Thomas also spoke against Bill 5.

“Why is this government pushing aside Environmental Assessment requirements for projects that threaten the natural world? Why is it bypassing the Endangered Species Act when we know that biodiversity loss increases the risk of pandemics, viruses, bacteria and pollution that makes people sick,” she said.

“What kind of economic growth is the government promoting if it makes people ill in the process? This bill is being justified under the guise of economic urgency, claiming the need to fight tariffs and boost development through special economic zones. Dollars. But let’s be clear, this bill undermines environmental protections existing laws and regulations and the health and safety of all Ontarians,” said the chief.

“It prioritizes short term profit for a few at the cost of long term well being for everyone. Protecting the environment is not anti business, it’s pro survival.”

Chief Thomas also has written to Prime Minister Mark Carney voicing concerns the province is trying to push through the project without following the court rulings which require governments to consult with First Nations.

Dresden CARED also delivered 612 copies of statements filed with the Environmental Registry of Ontario speaking against the Bill. You have until May 17 to comment on the Bill 5.

https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-0389