EDITOR’S NOTE: The original article misspelled Ryan Lefebre’s name. It was corrected on May 6, 2026

Cathy Dobson/The Independent

It’s “shortsighted” to think Sarnia’s Cargill grain elevators would remain open if residential development is built nearby, says manager Ryan Lefebre.

Condo construction in Sarnia within 300 metres of Ontario’s largest Cargill operation and a Point Edward development with hundreds of units across the street are “just a really bad idea,” Lefebre told about 50 Sarnia-Lambton Golden K Kiwanis members Tuesday.

“I really don’t want my legacy to be the guy in charge when it all goes to hell,” he said.  “I see (the proposal) and it scares me.”

During harvesting, about 200 trucks a day bring grain from across Southwestern Ontario, Lefebre said. Primarily farmers ship corn, wheat and soybeans to the terminal where it is taken to Baie-Comeau, Quebec, then on to the global market. 

Truck traffic and dust would generate complaints from residents if proposed housing developments are allowed nearby, he said.  

Even though Cargill has spent millions to mitigate dust at the Sarnia terminal, enough complaints would cause the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to raise standards so high, Cargill would shut down, Lefebre said.

“That would be 97 years of history gone,” he said.

Several years ago, Cargill became aware of development proposals for nearby lands and Lefebre said he spoke several times with Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and Point Edward Bev Hand about his concerns.

“I begged (Bradley) not to do anything residential, hospital or daycare… and he just smiled  and nodded and said you have to learn how to live next door to each other…So forgive me Mr. Mayor if I don’t think you were listening,” said Lefebre.

Cargill has appealed to Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, to intervene and requested an MZO (Ministerial Zoning Order) to prohibit new residential development and other “sensitive” uses within 300 metres of the grain terminal on Exmouth Street.

The request is “very much in flux,” said Lefebre.  He said he understands the minister should make a decision by early summer.

If Flack does advance it, then a public comment period of 30 to 60 days will follow, he said. 

Numerous business and agricultural groups representing thousands of members have already sent letters to support Cargill’s request including the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Lambton Cattlemen’s Association and the Ontario Agri Business Association.

Rural municipalities, such as St. Clair Township and Plympton-Wyoming have also sent the minister letter’s supporting Cargill’s calls to halt development.

Asked what he thinks about Lambton Warden Kevin Marriott’s idea for Cargill to move its 184 silos to a different location on the St. Clair River, Lefebre said he thinks it’s a novel approach.

“It probably could work,” he said.  “The problem is it would cost somewhere between $250 million and $350 million to build my terminal new somewhere else, and the margins aren’t there.

“It wouldn’t happen without some serious government help.”

He noted there’s empty land where Dow once operated on the river with highway, rail and water servicing.  It could be a good relocation option for Cargill, he said.  “But it would require government (dollars) to make it happen.”

Lefebre said Cargill has no problem with other kinds of nearby development outside of residential, hospital and daycare uses.

The Point Edward acreage on the north side of Exmouth would be good for a staging area for the heavy load corridor, he said.  And a new humane society building next to its current location would be welcome.

“My understanding is the humane society is zoned light industrial and is not a sensitive land use, so they could do anything they want except turn their building into residential, hospital or daycare.

“Doggy daycare doesn’t count.  It’s exempt,” he joked.