Encouraging Responsible Management
of Ontario's Aggregates
Ontario and Canadian Environmental Associations
Associations related to gravel usage
Federation of Ontario Naturalists."It is FON's position that, just as the PPS [Ontario Prinvincial Policy Statement] is weighted too much in favour of urban sprawl, it is also weighted too much in favour of aggregate extraction at the expense of agricultural land, natural heritage features and water resources. Policy 2.2.1 does not give municipalities enough ability to balance aggregate extraction with other, competing priorities or to decide to phase aggregate extraction over time. The need for aggregate extraction should have to be justified by the applicant, just as the need to expand urban boundaries onto prime agricultural land must be justified. Policy 2.2.2.4 needs strengthening; it should require not just that after aggregate extraction on prime agricultural land the site be rehabilitated, but also that extraction on such land be permitted only if the land can and will be returned to prime agricultural land capability -- a much higher test. Finally, establishment of need, in and of itself, for a proposed aggregate pit or quarry is a red herring; the need for a pit or quarry in a particular location should be fully justified."
Canadian Environmental Law Association.
CELA's objectives include:
To provide equitable access to justice to those otherwise
unable to afford representation for their environmental problems;
To advocate for comprehensive laws,
standards and policies that will protect and enhance environmental
quality in Ontario and throughout Canada
Sierra Legal Defence Fund.
SLDF "is Canada's foremost national non-profit organization
dedicated to enforcing and strengthening the laws that
safeguard our environment, wildlife and public health."
SLDF's Handbook on "How to Gather and Present Evidence..." says
"Government agencies, more often than not, do not enforce their own legislation when it comes to dealing with large corporations. Because of this, many corporate polluters continue to degrade the environment around us with a certain degree of impunity.
In some cases, this lack of enforcement is guided by policy. The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (the DFO), for example, has a policy of negotiation and compromise at all costs. Enforcement is seen a last resort option."
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources apparently acts in this fashion
with respect to the gravel industry.
MiningWatch Canada. MiningWatch Canada (MWC) is a pan-Canadian initiative supported by environmental, social justice, Aboriginal and labour organisations from across the country. It addresses the urgent need for a co-ordinated public interest response to the threats to public health, water and air quality, fish and wildlife habitat and community interests posed by irresponsible mineral policies and practices in Canada and around the world.
The Pembina Institute's
major policy research and education programs are in the areas of sustainable energy, climate change, environmental governance, ecological fiscal reform, sustainability indicators, and the environmental impacts of the energy industry.
See also the definitive report by Pembina on Rebalancing the Load: The
Need for an Aggregate Conservation Strategy for Ontario.
