Tilson calls for joint federal/provincial environmental assessment on melancthon quarry project

Ottawa, ON – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, is releasing the text of a letter sent today to the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, regarding the Highland Companies’ proposal for a mega-quarry in Melancthon Township.

In light of the decision last week by Ontario Environment Minister John Wilkinson to order a full provincial environmental assessment of the proposed quarry, Mr. Tilson called upon Minister Kent to direct the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) to conduct a joint environmental assessment in conjunction with the province.

“Now that the Province of Ontario has gone to the length of ordering an environmental assessment where they were under no obligation to do so, and given the overwhelming level of public concern in Dufferin County and beyond, I reiterate my request that you direct the CEAA to conduct an environmental assessment of the Highland Companies’ Melancthon quarry proposal,” said Mr. Tilson.

“Public opposition to this project has been huge,” stated Mr. Tilson. “Over the summer, I have heard from hundreds of constituents, as well as folks from across Canada, about their opposition to this project. It’s time for the federal government to get involved.”

Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s operational policies, it is incumbent on federal authorities to conduct a joint environmental assessment with the provinces. In cases where “high levels of public concern” are present, the CEAA is required to proceed in a cooperative manner with provincial authorities.