[All] Details from Minister Pendergast re

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks
The day went beautifully. Here is what was said:
LEEANNA PENDERGAST:Minister of Provincial Parliment, Leeanna Pendergast is asking for three things from the provincial government:
1.Review of the Aggregate Act2.Provincial Plan for Aggregates3.Protection of Prime Farmland in Ontario
The Aggregate Act has remained unchanged for 25 years so far. We must revise this policy to help secure the protection of Ontario's farmlands.
Currently in Waterloo Region, we have 89 aggregate pits active and with current permit processes underway it will bump us up to 95 pits in areas that are ecologically sensitive including West Montrose, Jiggs Hallow etc. 
Trout Unlimited states West Montrose has the best Brown Trout fishery in North America. We have eagles nesting by the water. These systems are at risk by gravel pits right now.
Globally, Canada has the best prime farmland giving us a #1 ranking. We have the potential to provide food to a growing world but if we compromise farmland for gravel pits, we could lose this resource. Cities have the ability to say no to Quarries and the public needs to encourage them to do so. 
The problems we're facing at the local level are happening all across the province. A revision in the Aggregate act and collaborative dialogue focused on solutions will go a long way to helping 

DONNA CANSFIELD: Former MNR minister and Minister of Transportation:We need a review of the Aggregate Act. Growing communities will need the food. We need to be aware of the carbon footprint associated with food production and it will take a collaborative effort of farmers, aggregate industries, government agencies and the public to openly discuss the issues so we can find solutions together. 
The head of the Waterloo Federation of Agriculture sent in a written correspondence which states that Aggregate industries have never restored pits to farmlands in Ontario. Farmlands are a non-renewable resource and we need them protected in order to secure our food supply. 
TONY DOWLING: BRIDGEKEEPERSTony Dowling of Bridgekeepers states we need aggregates but pits are a pain. They create problems for people and pollution. We need to place them where it is appropriate, not on the farmlands or in areas where municipal water supplies or communities are placed at risk. The bigger the pits, the bigger the adverse impacts. Pits can generate $30 million in revenue yet it can devalue the surrounding properties by $10 million. We need to say, this is not an appropriate place for pits.  Tonight in Woolwich council, there will be a public form to discuss the heritage designation of West Montrose area. Everyone is welcome to attend.
CLOSING NOTES by PendergastQuarries contribute 45 billion by way of construction revenue and contributes to the employment of 245 million.  In Ontario, 3453 permits have been issued with the majority of these projects located in Southern Ontario. We need to work together to figure this issue out in a spirit of collaboration and co-operation. 
GREN profile at the event:Norah and her hubby joined my daughter and I with signs for the event. The press were there and as I held the GREN banner, Record staff came by and we got a quick interview. I secured a copy of the press release showing the purpose of this was to revise the aggregate act so I basically stated that we are hear to support the Minister's efforts and that by actively protecting farmlands and water supplies it helps to assure long term ecological and economic resilience for our community. Nice little plug to get GREN in the news and to spread the word. CTV Southwest was on hand as well. 
I came with 4 binders that included copies of the Highland Quarry Power Point along with a copy of the USGS risks of Quarries in Karst systems report. One was given to a reporter at the Toronto Star who was looking "for the science" behind quarry risks. I gave the other copies to MPP Leeanna Pendergast and Donna Cansfield and the executives from Bridgekeepers as well. 
Because the signs provided were specifically designed to be "supportive" of water and farmland protection as opposed to anti quarry, the result was that the ministers were very pleased to see us. Leeanna Pendergast even made a point of giving reference to one of the posters I brought during her speech saying the child in the photo resembles her son, that this particular poster captures the essence of why we're here today. See attachment to view the photo. 
I will make a PDF of it for GREN and tomorrow there will be news articles in the Record, Toronto Star etc. I'm sending photos to another journalist this evening showing the encroachment of gravel pits onto our recharge areas etc. Look for it on CKCO news today as well. 
That's it in a nutshell. Have a good one!
Lulu :0)
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