Site 41 - MP Brown calls on the Premier to Protect our Ground Water

August 19, 2009

Barrie – MP Patrick Brown  issued a letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty today calling on him to follow the approach suggested by Barrie City Council in their motion of August 10, 2009 and immediately cease activity on Site 41.

A copy of the letter is attached for reference.

August 19, 2009.

Dalton McGuinty, Premier
Legislative Building,
Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A1

Dear Premier:

In the City of Barrie you recently stated - “I know it is a difficult issue for some of the folks around here to understand that we need landfill sites.  The best advice that we’re getting is…we can do this in a way that does not compromise the quality of the environment.”

Mr. McGuinty it is difficult for folks around here to understand why your government is taking no action to stop Dump Site 41 from being built directly over a vast aquifer that stretches from Georgian Bay to the Oak Ridges Moraine. How can you support (over the next 40-50 years) dumping 1.6 million cubic metres of garbage on top of what has been referred to as the cleanest source of freshwater in the world.

I am well aware waste management is under the authority of Regional and Municipal Governments and these jurisdictions derive their authoritative powers from the Province, however, an extraordinary number of my constituents (the citizens of the City of Barrie) have contacted me asking that I please become involved and speak up for them because they feel that an operational Site 41 will affect us all.

Certainly everyone would rather not have garbage buried in their neighbourhood.  It is very understandable that all new landfills would certainly attract protest.  However, in this instance it is imperative:

• to ensure the protection of this pristine artesian aquifer 
• to not rebuff legitimate arguments and concerns as “not in my backyard” posturing
• to ensure the creation of a new landfill on this site will not go ahead without an absolute guarantee that the quality and sustainability of this pristine water source will not be compromised.

The City of Barrie Council passed the following motion.

"That the County of Simcoe be requested to immediately cease activity on Site 41.  Until the environmental issues and concerns of City of Barrie residents as it relates to the potential impact of Site 41 on their drinking water can properly be assessed.  That the Province be asked to support all municipalities in the implementation of alternative forms of waste removal and destruction that do not include simply burying waste in the ground for thousands of years. "

This motion was put forth by Councillor Michael Prowse and ratified by council on August 10, 2009.   I would wholeheartedly encourage you to support the approach suggested by Barrie City Council.

An investment of 30 million dollars in Lake Simcoe proves very clearly that the federal government believes in protecting the water sources of Simcoe County.  The province of Ontario must take full responsibility and stop anything from developing that could damage our water.

Sincerely,