Oxford County municipalities are urging the Ontario government to maintain the ability of local governments to approve or reject proposed landfills within their communities as the province considers potential changes to waste management legislation.
The municipalities say maintaining local approval authority is essential to ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in decisions that could have significant impacts on their communities.
The issue dates back to 2018, when 150 municipalities, led by the Town of Ingersoll, took part in the "We Demand the Right" campaign. That effort resulted in Bill 197 in 2020, which gave municipalities the authority to approve or deny new landfill proposals within their boundaries, as well as sites located within 3.5 kilometres of an adjacent municipality.
Oxford County says it supports the province exploring alternatives to landfills and continuing efforts toward a waste-free Ontario. However, it argues that any changes to the Environmental Assessment Act should preserve existing municipal approval rights.
The county also points to comments from Ontario Environment Minister Todd McCarthy, who has publicly stated that municipalities will retain the ability to decide whether to accept a landfill in their communities.
Oxford municipalities say protecting that authority allows local governments and residents to engage with landfill proponents and negotiate terms that address potential social, economic and environmental impacts.
The county is encouraging residents in Oxford and across Ontario to share their opinions through the province's public consultation process.
Comments can be submitted through the Environmental Registry of Ontario at:
Proposed Actions to Address Landfill Capacity | Environmental Registry of Ontario
