For immediate release:
November 2, 2004

Barrett braces Ontario municipalities for Toronto trash

American election begins countdown to border closure: 120 days and counting

Queen’s Park – PC Environment Critic Toby Barrett asked the government for it’s plan on Toronto garbage as the clock ticks closer toward the potential closure of the Michigan border to GTA trash trucks.

Barrett pointed to the very real possibility of an emerging garbage crisis.

“Democratic hopeful John Kerry plans to review the Toronto-Michigan trash agreement within the first 120 days of his presidency,” Barrett said. “And with the election polls showing a dead heat, that means theoretically we have a 50% chance of a garbage pile-up at the Michigan border in three months.”

“Regardless of who wins, the countdown has begun - Republican senators and state representatives in Michigan don’t want Toronto trash either.” Barrett continued. “Acting Premier, your government has had a year to take action on this front. The clock is ticking. What is the government’s plan?”

Barrett went on to point out that, given recent remarks of Ontario Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky, many municipalities are concerned that they will be earmarked as the next Toronto dumping target.

“In today’s Toronto Star Minister Dombrowsky is quoted as saying,“In an emergency situation, the province has some responsibility and ability to manage it,” stating there would be a short-term temporary landfill at undetermined sites in Ontario’” said Barrett. “Acting Premier, are you going to wait until it’s too late and give some undetermined municipality no choice but to be dumped on? Is it going to be London? Will it be Halton, or Cayuga?. When is your government going to let people know just what your government has determined?”

Acting Premier Gerard Kennedy refused to speculate on possible future Toronto trash dumping locations.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629