NDACT Press Release August 26, 2011

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Published on Thursday, 25 August 2011 16:04

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August 26, 2011: For immediate release

 Citizens, Environmental Groups and First Nations call for Federal/Provincial Review of Melancthon mega-quarry

Petitions calling for environmental assessments to be presented to Governments of Ontario and Canada

When: 10:00 am, Monday August 29

Where: Monora Park, Orangeville ORANGEVILLE, ONTARIO

On Monday August 29th NDACT [the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Task Force] will present representatives of the governments of Ontario and Canada with petitions for Federal and Provincial Environmental Assessments in the form of a Review Panel.

Dale Rutledge, Chairman of NDACT will present the local Members of Parliament and the Provincial Parliament with the petitions signed by thousands of local people. "I see myself as a steward of the land" says Rutedge. "We need both levels of government to review this complex application because the mega-quarry would seriously harm the fisheries, the water and the land".

"We are not only calling for a federal environmental assessment of the Mega-quarry, we are calling for a Review Panel to be struck to carry out the assessment", says John Werring, Aquatic Habitat specialist with the David Suzuki Foundation. "This particular project has all the hallmarks of a project that should be subject to such a review, because of the impact on First Nations rights and title, and the sheer number of citizens that have expressed their concerns about this proposal".

"The aggregate industry is all-powerful in Ontario and the current rules favour their interests over the protection of our drinking water" says Maude Barlow, National Chair of the Council of Canadians. "Premier McGuinty has the power to say no to the mega-quarry today but if he won't stand up to the industry then put the proposal to a joint panel review. We have destroyed too much of our water through urban sprawl, pollution and waste and we have to protect what remains, forever".

In an historic partnership with NDACT, First Nation communities are joining in the opposition to this quarry. Jeff Monague,an elected Councillor representing the Beausoleil First Nation, says "We are supportive of NDACT's call for Environmental Assessments and we need also to point out that there has been no meaningful consultation by Highland Companies with any First Nation on this issue. Highland has failed to meet the legal requirements of the application process. We are hopeful that a Federal Review panel would deny this application. But, we are also prepared to stand in the way of development that would threaten to poison our water sources if it is not stopped."

 For further information contact:

NDACT: Dave Vanderzaag t 519-925-9491 / Dale Rutledge t 519-940-6165

David Suzuki Foundation: John Werring t 604-732-4228

Council of Canadians:  Mark Calzavara t 416-319-6524

               Beausoleil First Nation: Jeff Monague t 705-529-5736