[All] URGENT: Re Aggregate Act

[Louisette Lanteigne]

URGENT: Just got this from the folks at NDACT. Please cut and paste the form letter below and send in ASAP. Spread the word! 

Lulu 


Subject: Aggregate Resources Act Review starts Monday May 7
 

 
URGENT:  The Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) 
review promised by McGuinty's government starts Monday in Toronto with little to 
no notice, except apparently to representatives for the 
aggregate industry who have already been assigned time slots in front of 
the committee. Their preferential treatment cuts into the meager 12 hours 
allocated to the public. 
 
We asked for the ARA review for a reason:  the 
ARA is based on 40-year old legislation and does not reflect today's 
values.  
 
It is imperative that we make a lot of noise about 
this.  To request an opportunity to speak before the Committee and/or 
send an e-mail outlining your concerns contact:
- Sylwia Przezdziecki / sylwia_przezdziecki at ontla.ola.org / 416-325-3515, and
- Tamara Pomanski / tamara_pomanski at ontla.ola.org / 416-325-3515
 
See below for an e-mail/letter 
template.
 
In addition, contact your local MPP, the media, 
etc. and voice your disapproval of the discourtesy 
shown Taxpayers by the Ontario Government.  
 
Here is a link to all MPP email addresses: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/member_addresses.do?AddType=MIN&locale=en
 
What gets decided here will affect every Ontario 
aggregate pit/quarry going forward.  This is the legislation that will 
shape the lifestyles of our children and grandchildren.  Don't let rock be 
more important than fresh food and clean water.  Ontarians have to 
choose.
 
______________________________
 
Link to original 
Orangeville Banner article:  http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/1349133--no-rural-public-hearings-for-aggregate-review
Sylvia Jones, MP Dufferin-Caledon press 
release:  http://www.sylviajonesmpp.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=-seQMiPGbJU%3D&tabid=56
Information on Participation in Committees:  http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/go2.jsp?Page=/getting-involved/committee_participation_submit&menuItem=getting_involved_participate_committee&locale=en#tabdetail______________________________
 
e-Mail template/Suggestions:
 
I am an Ontarioresident and taxpayer.  I ask that the Government of Ontario, 
the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Standing Committee established to 
review the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) amend the ARAto address the following 
values:
 
1.  Make 
conservation of aggregate, a non-renewable resource, a priority over approval of 
new extraction sites.  Conservation 
can occur through aggregate recycling and use of alternative 
materials.
 
2.  Reserve virgin aggregate, a 
non-renewable resource, for use within Canada.
 
3. 
Prohibit aggregate extraction below the water table without a full Environmental 
Assessment and full understanding of the impact on all areas, near and far.  
 
4. 
Prohibit aggregate extraction below the water table in drinking water source 
areas.
 
5.  Develop a 
process and guidelines for identifying and designating new Specialty Crop Areas 
to safeguard unique agricultural land resources.  Prohibit aggregate extraction in 
Specialty Crop Areas.
 
6. Conduct a 
thorough study of all existing aggregate reserves in Ontario.  We cannot know what we need until we know what we 
have.
 
7. 
Develop an “Aggregate Master Plan” and disallow new aggregate mining licenses 
within the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area, Oak Ridges Moraine and Green Belt until 
the “Aggregate Master Plan” has been approved by the 
province.
 
8.  Provide an assessment of the cumulative 
affects (dust, noise, air quality, traffic emissions; effects on water) of the 
“Aggregate Master Plan” on Ontarioresidents by 
district.
 
9.  Require that new quarry proposals 
demonstrate the need for additional aggregate resource extraction in meeting the 
demands of the Ontariomarket.
 
10.  Mandate 
that an Environmental Assessment occur for all new or expanding aggregate 
operations.
 
11.  Realign 
the cost of virgin aggregate to reflect reality.  Economically, aggregate is a low-priced, 
heavy-weight commodity that takes the bulk of its cost from transportation.  Today, however, the price of virgin 
aggregate must include the activism necessary by residents to fight for their 
best interest despite the elected and public institutions designed to represent 
and protect the public interest.  As 
well, the cost must encompass the environmental cost on residents.  In other words the market cost for 
virgin aggregate is unrealistically cheap. Create a management system that works 
for residents and price the product 
accordingly.
 
12.  Address 
what will happen to the operators of small aggregate resources if a 
mega-quarry becomes the sanctioned approach.  What will small operators do when they 
are subjected to the monopolistic power of the goliath-like 
mega-quarry?
 
Until 
such time as the abovenoted issues are sufficiently addressed, I do not consider 
the ARA an up-to-date and relevant piece of legislation. 
 
Sincerely,
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