For
immediate release:
February 22, 2005
Garbage plan?
Government will make it up as they go along
Barrett and Runciman
questions underline lack of plan for Toronto garbage
Queen’s Park - “In
terms of the responsibility of the Minister of the Environment to have
an emergency plan. That, of course, depends what the emergency is, where
the emergency is and how long we anticipate the emergency to be in effect.
And so, when those events happen, this Ministry and this Minister will
step up to the plate - we will accept our responsibility, we will come
forward with our plan to meet the need of the emergency at that time.”
- Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Environment
PC Environment Critic Toby
Barrett revealed more holes in the government’s waste disposal strategy
as he joined forces with Interim Opposition Leader Bob Runciman to question
Minister of Environment Leona Dombrowsky in the legislature today.
In response to a question from
MPP Barrett, the Minister admitted a complete lack of plan to deal with
the very real possibility of an end to the trucking of Toronto garbage
to Michigan - indicating that she will wait for an emergency first before
coming forward with a plan. Considering the fact that Michigan is currently
considering introducing a $7.50 charge on each U.S. ton of waste dumped
in the state - from the current 21 cents - that plan may be needed sooner
rather than later.
Barrett went on to point out
that people in his riding, as well as the Ministers’, are growing
more concerned with expansion plans for area landfills.
“Minister, I can tell
you, Haldimand County doesn’t want to be on the list for Toronto
garbage - the County has declared its borders closed to outside garbage,”
Barrett stated.
“But, last week you approved shipping Toronto garbage to Haldimand’s
Edwards landfill near Cayuga.”
“Last week, I met with
a Napanee Town Councillor from your riding - he tells me they want to
know why you’ve turned your back on them - they’re inviting
you home to explain your new position of neutrality on the Richmond Landfill
expansion.” Barrett continued. “Are you turning your back
on the rest of Ontario, like you have your constituents in your own riding
minister - are you going to make all of Ontario, Toronto’s own personal
garbage dump?”
The Minister responded by expressing
her, “disappointment” with the question, stating that, “I
have faith in the process. I believe in the fullness of time, there will
be time for me to make a decision.”
Following the afternoon session,
Barrett indicated his own “disappointment” with the fact that
the Minister have left many in Haldimand - and the Richmond area - with
a number of unanswered questions.
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For more information please contact
MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446,
416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629
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