Ag Minister Leon Dombrowsky unaware Bill 32 passed

By Anne Ritchie-Nahuis WaterWatch
Earlier this week I attended the Ontario Federation of Agriculture annual convention as a delegate of the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture, I made a point of talking to Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky, who was the guest speaker. Many of you will remember that we used to deal with her earlier as she was the Environment Minister.
I asked for Leona Dombrowsky’s support in giving third reading to Bill 32. She told me Bill 32 died on the floor of the Legislature. I was shocked. I told her no, it passed 40 to 11. Leona looked to her staff for confirmation. They said nothing but looked equally surprised.
Leona then suggested that Site 41 had an Environmental Assessment Hearing and was safe. I suggested that this was incorrect also – Site 41 had gone to a joint board hearing and was turned down but then David Peterson’s Liberal Government had overturned that ruling with an order in council thereby illegitimizing the whole project.
I commented that the Environmental Commisioner of Ontario, Gordon Miller, has repeatedly raised his concerns. I said I hoped she would reconsider and support the ECO and Garfield Dunlop’s Bill 32. I said the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture looked forward to meeting with her with these and other concerns but unfortuantely the Warden had cancelled such a meeting.
Leona said it was Tony’s meeting and he was to bring a delegation of his choosing. I said I was quite sure that the invitation read the SCFA however I would be forwarding these concerns with proof that we discussed meeting or no meeting and that there probably would be a new Warden very soon. Leona then said that she does not meet with county groups. I than reminded her that the Ontario Federation of Agricuture was also opposed to Site 41 and I would be forwarding details to her for confirmation of our discussion.
What this makes clear to me is that MPPs at Queens Park, and ministers especially, live in a little bubble  where they only get news that’s in the Toronto media, or that their bureaucrats want them to hear.
Please let Leona Dombrowsky know that Bill 32 passed and that you want her support for it to go to committee and get third reading. If you know anyone from her riding, ask them to get in touch with Leona and persuade her to be with the people of Ontario on this issue.

Leona Dombrowsky was elected as the provincial representative for Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. In 2007 she was elected to the new riding of Prince Edward-Hastings.The telephone number is 613-962-1144, toll free 1-877-LEONA-4U (1-877-536-6248) and the e-mail address is ldombrowsky.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org