Back to square one for Site 41 legislation

By Travis Mealing Midland Mirror
MIDLAND – When Bill 32 passed second reading in the Ontario legislature in November, Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop trumpeted the moment as a triumph for Joe Public.
Now, he’s worried Joe Public is about to be stepped on by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
By proroguing the legislature last week to clear the way for Monday’s throne speech, the premier effectively derailed Bill 32, which would have revoked the certificate of approval for Site 41.
The certificate, which allows a landfill to be constructed on the Tiny Township Concession 2 site, has been the subject of enormous controversy ever since the County of Simcoe halted plans to build a dump on the property.
“The premier insists nothing will be lost because of prorogation, saying every single one of their bills will be preserved, but he neglected to mention the fact that a number of private member’s bills … will be lost,” Dunlop stated in a press release.
“McGuinty’s decision to pull the plug is disappointing for not only me, but the thousands of constituents in Simcoe North who have worked so hard with me on Bill 32.”
Dunlop, who called the move a “slap in the face” to ordinary folks who successfully changed county politicians’ minds on the issue, said he plans to reintroduce Bill 32 at his first opportunity.
“Dalton McGuinty’s tactics will not deter our efforts to remove the certificate of approval on Site 41,” he said.
The MPP’s anger was echoed by the Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations, whose members lobbied MPPs from all parties to get the bill past second reading.
“I’m appalled by the hypocrisy,” said the group’s chair, Judith Grant, who insisted Dunlop’s bill could have been included in a motion that allowed government bills, and some private member’s bills, to be carried forward to a new session.
The Council of Canadians, which supported efforts last summer to stop the landfill, criticized Environment Minister John Gerretsen for stating the approval was based on “the best scientific information that’s available.”
“The information Minister Gerretsen is relying on to make his decision has never been peer-reviewed,” said Maude Barlow, the council’s national chairperson. “And there is ample evidence that this critical information is wrong.”