Stop the Mega Quarry

Call to Action – Campaign History

 

Date

To

Suggested Topics

Completed

15-Jan-2013

Liberal Leadership Candidates

-         Encourage the six Ontario Liberal leadership candidates to support a Food & Water First policy for the province

Work in Progress

21-Nov-2012

BREAKING – Highland Companies withdraws mega-quarry aggregate licence application

-         Congratulations!  By paying attention, talking up the issue, donating, volunteering, letter-writing and becoming a squeaky wheel we stood our ground.  Our sheer numbers made all the difference.

Success!

10-Nov-2012

Prime Minister Harper

-         China/Canada Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) - Prime Minister Harper is poised to slide through a trade deal with China that could jeopardize Canada's natural resources by allowing significant foreign ownership and rights.  China is already purchasing Canadian companies at an alarming rate (including a wind turbine project in Melancthon, next to the site of the proposed mega-quarry).  At the very least this trade deal should be debated openly in the House of Commons.  Please read up on this extremely important issue and sign the following petition:

-         http://www.leadnow.ca/stop-fipa

-         Let other Canadians know about the seriousness of this issue.

-         Urgent because this deal could be ratified at any time now.

 

Work in Progress

7-Nov-2012

Ontario’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing

 

-         Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) is under review.  It is the guiding document for land use planning in Ontario and it favours aggregate extraction over agriculture.  Let the Minister know that you demand that food and water take priority.  Deadline is 22-Nov-2012.

 

Work in Progress

22-Oct-2012

Canadian Chefs’ Congress (CCC)

-         Soupstock was a fabulous way to wind up an active and exhilarating summer. While we haven't heard the amount of money raised, it was undoubtedly significant and you may want to take a few moments to thank the CCC for their effort and initiative.  What a way to raise awareness and funds to Stop the Mega-Quarry!

-         e-mail:  info@canadianchefscongress.com

-         facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/canadianchefscongress

 

Success!

15-Oct-2012

Premier Dalton McGuinty +

Your MPP

-          Remind your elected representatives that you are waiting for the Standing Committee on General Government’s report on the Aggregate Resources Act.  (The Committee was disbanded and as yet has not been resumed.) (Parliament is prorogued.)

 

Work in Progress

9-Aug-2012

Electoral candidates in Vaughan and Kitchener-Waterloo by-elections

-          On September 6, 2012 two by-elections will be held to replace MPPs who resigned in Vaughan and Kitchener-Waterloo.  It is time to get the candidates on record regarding their stand on the proposed mega-quarry.

 

Info

11-Jul-2012

Niagara Escarpment Committee demanding that the Commission protect the Escarpment as per their mandate

-          On June 18, 2012 the Joint Board approved an “expansion” to the existing Walker site in Duntroon, ON, a mere 15 minutes north of the proposed mega-quarry site.  The 160 acre, 42 million tonne quarry is really a new operation across the road from the existing site and in the Niagara Escarpment.  This approval undermines the principals and authority of NE Commission protection.  Write a letter to the NEC demanding that they apply to the Ontario Divisional Court for a judicial review of the Walker decision.  The NEC’s mandate is to protect the Niagara Escarpment.  They must not give up!

-          Deadline July 13, 2012 @ 5pm for consideration at July 19, 2012 meeting

Info

25-Jun-2012

ARA Review Committee – written submissions

-          For those of us who could not present to the Committee (hearings in Orangeville, Sudbury, Ottawa and Kitchener-Waterloo) send your comments in writing.  Deadline is Tuesday, July 17 at 5pm.

Info

17-Jun-2012

Canadian Senators

-          Thanks to the PC majority, the Commons passed Bill C-38 with little consideration of the concerns shown by environmentalists, ex-Ministers, and the Canadian people.  While it is rare, the Senate can stop the Bill from passing into law.  Let the Senators know your concerns.

Info

27-May-2012

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and your local MP

-          Federal Bill C-38 is an omnibus bill that proposes amendments to environmental legislation while implementing the federal budget.  Calls for "streamlining" to accommodate big business mean a weaker federal environmental assessment process; the removal of protection for endangered species/habitat; the gutting of the Fisheries Act (currently our strongest environmental legislation); the repeal of the Kyoto Protocol Implementation Act; and the elimination of the National Round Table on Environment and Economy.  Contact Harper and your MP and demand that the proposed amendments to the environmental legislation be separated from the budget.

Infoit was a sad day for Cdn environ-mental legislation when this Bill passed

17-May-2012

House Leaders in the Ontario Legislature re: ARA Review Committee

-          The Standing Committee on General Government (SCGG) voted unanimously to request that the ARA Review be extended to include further input from the public by travelling to communities that are or will be affected by aggregate operations.  The House Leaders have not yet agreed to the request.  Our Representatives should come and see for themselves what is being impacted by their decision-making.  Contact the House Leaders and ask them to approve the request.

Success!

12-May-2012

ARA Review Committee – written submissions

-          For those of us who did not receive audience with the Committee (most of us!)  send your comments in writing.  Deadline is Wednesday, May 16 at 5pm.

Info

4-May-2012

Contact Premier McGuinty; Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources; Jim Bradley, Minister of the Environment; plus whomever you think needs to know (ARA Review Committee – request for audience)

-          Voice Your Opinion!  The Aggregate Resources Act review is underway with the public comment period starting on Monday (7-May-2012).  While we are not happy with the rushed timeframe (announced on Friday, hearing on Monday) nor with the preferential treatment of the aggregate industry representatives, we will prevail.  Raise a ruckus! 

-          This was highly successful!  76 requests for audience were received to fill a total of 24 time slots.  This feedback has encouraged the ARA Review Committee to request travel to affected communities now that they know there is so much interest (especially at the last minute!)  Good Work!

Success!

3-May-2012

Wellington Water Watchers oppose Nestle’s Permit To Take Water (PTTW).  NDACT opposes the PTTW for (i) groundwater protection, (ii) wear & tear on the roads increasing the need for aggregate, (iii) Water Watchers support.

-          Nestle Canada Inc. recently applied for a permit to take water (EBR 011-6182) for their commercial water bottling operation.  Wellington Water Watchers and the Council of Canadians have submitted to the Government of Ontario a Request for Review re: the whole water permitting process stating that the EBR procedure is not working.  Supporters are therefore asked to send their comments to Jim Bradley, Minister of the Environment as well as comment on the EBR.

Info

9-Apr-2102

Contact your MPP/Opposition MPPs to demand that EBR prescribed laws be removed from Omnibus Bill 55

-          Bill 55 “Strong Action for Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2012” is an omnibus bill that amends 69 different statutes including laws prescribed under the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 (EBR).  Any changes to these laws should require posting online as well as a 30 day public comment period.  Comments by the Environmental Commissioner (ECO).

Info - it was a sad day for Ontario’s environ-mental legislation when this Bill passed

19-Mar-2012

Contact Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada; Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources; Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment; and your local MP

-          Contact the Prime Minister, the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of the Environment and your MP and demand that Canada strengthen environmental law rather than weaken it.

Info

8-Mar-2012

Contact Michael Gravelle, Minister of Natural Resources re: ARA review

-         Six months ago, the Ontario government promised to review the outdated Aggregate Resources Act. We have yet to hear when this review will begin or how we can participate in the process. Below is a letter to the Minister of Natural Resources, Michael Gravelle. Add your own thoughts or just send it to Mr. Gravelle as it is. His e-mail address is mgravelle.mpp@liberal.ola.org  Should you feel like calling his office, his number is 416-314-2301

Success!

16-Feb-2012

Send your opinion to Seth Klarman

-         Let Seth Klarman and Baupost know how you feel about the proposed mega-quarry and how it may affect you.

Info

29-Jan-2012

Letters to Peter Kent, Cda Minister of the Environment and Joe Oliver, Cda Minister of Natural Resources

-         Joe has caused controversy by blaming the negative economic impacts on current big projects (i.e. Keystone XL and Northern gateway pipelines) on radical environmentalists.  Peter appears to be in accord.  Let them both know that taxpayers are on-side with revising the system as long as “quality of life” is weighted as heavily as “$$$” in the decision-making process.  See links for background:

-         Open Letter from Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources

-         Radicals working against oilsands, Ottawa says

-         Putting Canada’s economy first, no apologies

-         Environment Minister Peter Kent stands by Fed’s plan to streamline regulatory processes

P.S.  How is “growth” maintained in an industry with finite product supply?

Info

27-Dec-11

2011 Year in Review to Baupost and Seth Klarman

-         Letter 2011 accomplishments

Info

19-Dec-11

MPs Michael Chong and David Tilson

-         Thank you for your continued support in fighting the mega quarry

Info

12-Dec-11

Stop the Quarry (facebook)

cc: nomegaquarry@xplornet.ca

-         Share your insights – How do you think the Stop the Mega Quarry campaign went?  What made you decide to join?  What was the highlight?  Share your memories, photos and thoughts.  We will make a compilation for use in the fight.

Info

4-Dec-11

Tim McMeekin, ON Minster of Agriculture (info) (template)

-         Welcome to new role as Minister

-         Introduction to issue

-         Request his support

Info

27-Nov-11

Jim Bradley, ON Minister of Environment (info) (template)

-         Welcome to new role as Minister

-         Introduction to issue

-         How will the government guide Ontarians through the unprecedented process of an EA for an aggregate operation?

Info

20-Nov-11

Peter Kent, Cda Minister of Environment (info) (template)

-         Request a joint Panel Review where federal and provincial interests combine in the Environmental Assessment (EA)

Info

 

"We want a productive and comprehensive EA, we want a review of the ARA and we want an end to the mega quarry." Donna T.

 

Mega-Quarry Overview

 

Groups/Citizens Expressing Concern

 

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