MiltonToday received the following letter about the issue of mega-quarries and aggregate mining in the upcoming provincial election campaign.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford calling a provincial election next Wednesday was the backdrop to a standing-room only rally of residents opposing new mega-quarries and aggregate mining in Milton and Dufferin-Caledon ridings.
At the event held in Milton last Saturday, the question on everyone’s lips was how long it will take the premier to fulfill his promise to oppose the proposed mega-quarries and bolster support for local PC MPPs including his Milton representative.
Mayors Gordon Krantz of Milton, Marianne Meed Ward of Burlington, and Annette Groves of Caledon spoke at the rally, emphasizing that as the election approaches, the issue of aggregate mining will significantly influence voter preferences and campaign strategies. Gord Pinard of CORE Burlington, one of the residents’ groups that organized the rally, noted: "The upcoming election is bringing renewed focus to previous campaign promises and local issues."
Pinard emphasized how "the proposed mega-quarries in Milton, Burlington, and Caledon are now key concerns for voters and community organizations, which are urging Ford and local MPPs to quickly honour their commitments to oppose these projects."
Some of the key points raised at the rally in the context of quarry opposition and the pending provincial election included:
- Premier Ford's 2020 promise to stop the Campbellville quarry will be scrutinized, with voters expecting him to honor his statement that "when the people don't want something, you don't do it."
- Milton PC MPP Zee Hamid's pledge to "fight with the community" against the Campbellville quarry and Mt. Nemo quarry expansion is under the spotlight.
- Health Minister and Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones faces pressure to advocate for halting the Caledon mega-quarry and approving Caledon's new aggregate bylaws.
- The Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (RGMC) and local groups are mobilizing voters to support candidates who commit to pausing new aggregate mining approvals.
- Municipalities, including Milton, Burlington, and Caledon, are urging the province to respect local decisions protecting community health and climate resilience.
"I’ve opposed this right from day one," said Mayor Krantz. "The drinking water of Milton will be affected if this goes ahead and that has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt." Krantz concluded: "If I’m opposed to it, the people are opposed to it, then (Premier Ford) should be opposed to it as well and quash it now."
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward reminded the packed meeting hall that "issues like this have no municipal boundaries."
Gord Pinard concluded: "In this area, all candidates will be wise to announce their stance on aggregate mining and environmental protection quickly and loudly."
Mike Balkwill
Milton