March against hedge fund mega-quarry passes half way mark

Orangeville – Shelburne – Jim Black’s potato farm, Melancthon 24 April 2011 

Orangeville, ON-A group of protestors on a five day march against a proposed mega-quarry passed the half-way mark of their 119 kilometre journey this morning just outside of Orangeville, ON.  The group of  Melancthon and Mono Township residents, farmers and First Nations representatives have been walking with signs and flags saying “Stop the Quarry” since a  rally  at Queen’s Park in Toronto last Friday. They plan to finish the march with a rally on Tuesday afternoon at a potato farm next to the proposed quarry site on Highway 124. 

“We have been getting encouragement from folks driving by and we have handed out lots of information to people about the quarry project” said Elizabeth Brass Elson Anishinabe woman from the Beausoleil First Nation. “The company had a duty to consult the First Nations before proceeding.  Our teachings say we have to consider the impact of what we do on the next seven generations. Well this quarry will destroy the land and water in our own lifetime” said Brass Elson. “First Nations will stand with the community to protect the land and the water. Unity will prevail”  

If allowed to proceed, the mega-quarry would be the second-largest in North America and would destroy prime farmland in the heart of Ontario’s potato-growing region known for its Honeywood Silt Loam, a rare type of soil that is particularly suited to potato cultivation.  

Carl Cosack, a local cattle and horse rancher, is worried the proposed mega-quarry will harm water supplies. “It will destroy productive farmland and threaten the headwaters of three important rivers – the Grand, the Nottawasaga and the Pine- water sources for one million people” he said. “200 feet below the water table is deeper than Niagara Falls – and will require the extraction of 600 million litres of water per day. And they claim it won’t have a negative impact…it’s simply not credible.”     

To contact the walkers on the route call Brian Danniels at 647 862 3596 

March schedule:

Sunday April 24 –  9am start

King St and Hurontario- North on Hwy 10 (Hurontario) to Hwy 9

(Orangeville), west on Broadway to First Street (Orangeville City Hall)

3-4 pm End Day 3, 27 Km

Monday April 25 – 9am start

North on First St to Hwy 10, north on Hwy 10 to Hwy 89, West on Hwy 89

to Shelburne, 3-4 pm End Day 4, 25 Km

Tuesday 26/4 9am start

North on Hwy 124 to Jim & Marians Black’s potato farm, 1-2 pm,  15 Km