• Protecting Water and Farmland in Simcoe County

All-Party Committee Review of Aggregate Resources Act

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In Quarries
Mar 23rd, 2012
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Committee Findings To Help Shape Long-Term Aggregates Plan for Ontario
Ontario government news release March 22, 2012
The Standing Committee on General Government, an all-party committee of the legislature, has been directed by the Ontario legislature to develop recommendations to strengthen the Aggregate Resources Act. (AWARE Simcoe note #1: the Aggregate Resources Act is too strong – the undertaking given by the Liberal Party during the last election campaign was NOT to strngthen the Act, but to review it in order “to make sure future quarries align with the expectations of Ontarians.” Those expectations are that the Act be brought in line with modern democratic processes.)

Ontario gov’t release continued: Aggregate resources such as sand and gravel are vital to Ontario’s economy — they are used to build roads, subway tunnels, hospitals and schools. The need for aggregates must also be balanced with the protection of other important resources, like water, green space and agricultural lands.
While aggregates are plentiful in Ontario, recent studies show that rising demand due to population growth and land constraints could significantly deplete resources within 20 years.
By seeking advice and gaining insight from key stakeholders, the committee will make recommendations to the government about how to strengthen the Act.
QUOTES
“Aggregate resources are essential for modern society. We all have a shared responsibility for better management of our limited aggregate resources. The all-party committee provides a wonderful opportunity to ensure that we all have a say in the future management of this vital resource”
– Michael Gravelle
Minister of Natural Resources
QUICK FACTS
Aggregate resources are sand, gravel, clay, earth and rock. They are   extracted from pits and quarries.  
The Aggregate Resources Act provides for the management of the aggregate   resources of Ontario. The Act controls and regulates aggregate operations on   both Crown lands and private lands.  
Approximately 80 per cent of aggregates are sourced from southern Ontario.  
The Aggregate Resources Act first came in place in 1990 and was last   updated in 1997.
LEARN MORE
Read more on aggregate resources in Ontario
AWARE Simcoe note #2 – These are the members of the standing committee:
Chair
David Orazietti
LIB / Sault Ste. Marie
Vice-Chair
David Zimmer
LIB / Willowdale
Sarah Campbell
NDP / Kenora–Rainy River
Michael Coteau
LIB / Don Valley East
Joe Dickson
LIB / Ajax–Pickering
Rosario Marchese
NDP / Trinity–Spadina
Laurie Scott
PC / Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock
Todd Smith
PC / Prince Edward–Hastings
Jeff Yurek
PC / Elgin–Middlesex–London.

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