Dresden Waste Processing Site and Landfill

Chatham-Kent Council Gives Direction to Continue Proposed Landfill Opposition

June 10, 2025

At Monday night’s Council meeting, following the passing of Bill 5 last week, Chatham-Kent Council unanimously passed a motion directing administration to continue opposing the proposed landfill at 29831 Irish School Road near Dresden. This includes engaging with federal and provincial agencies, and commissioning expert environmental and traffic impact reviews.

Chatham-Kent Council Gives Direction to Continue Proposed Landfill Opposition

June 10, 2025

“The people of Dresden, Indigenous Nations, and our entire community have spoken with one voice: this project is not welcome in our community,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. “Council stands 100% united in our opposition, and we will continue working to ensure that environmental protections, community health, and Indigenous rights are not disregarded. Chatham-Kent has a history of being welcoming and open to investment, but this project will undoubtedly have negative impacts on our residents, infrastructure and environment, so we cannot support it.”

The motion passed by Council includes calls for the Province to reverse its decision and require a full Environmental Assessment. If the Province is not prepared to do so, Council calls on the Province to require comprehensive studies and public consultation equivalent to those required under the Environmental Assessment Act. These include environmental, geotechnical, noise, air quality, and socio-economic impact studies, as well as formal engagement and consultation with affected Indigenous Nations.

Chatham-Kent will also request a federal environmental review under the Impact Assessment Act and examine opportunities to challenge the legislation in through different appeal routes.

Municipality of Chatham-Kent to Continue Opposition to Proposed Dresden Landfill

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is aware of the Ontario Legislature’s passage of Bill 5; legislation that potentially poses significant risks not only to our community, but to municipalities and Indigenous communities across the province.

This matter will be raised at the Council meeting on Monday June 9 to discuss how the Municipality of Chatham-Kent can continue working with Council and retained environmental lawyers and engineers to explore all available options to continue opposition to the proposed landfill in Dresden.

Council and staff remain committed to continue working with our partners, both locally and provincially, to defend Dresden.

Since the Environmental Registry of Ontario filing was made by York1 in February of 2024, where the municipality first learned of the scope of the landfill project, Chatham-Kent Council, staff, and community partners have raised serious concerns about the potential negative impacts of the proposed landfill near Dresden.

The subsequent introduction of Bill 5 also raised substantial concerns for Chatham-Kent, including its potential to override local governance, compromise environmental protections, and disregard meaningful consultation with Indigenous nations. It has been made clear that this bill does not reflect the values or the needs of Chatham-Kent and the community of Dresden.

“We are incredibly disappointed with the passing of this bill, but we are not giving up,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. “Our community is resilient. We will continue to stand up and fight for Dresden, for our neighbouring communities, and for Indigenous Nations all over Ontario. We urge the Government of Ontario to reconsider the implications of this legislation, to listen to the concerns of communities like ours, and to respect the rights of all Ontarians, especially Indigenous communities, whose voices must not be ignored as stewards of the land.”

“I am truly disheartened to hear of the passing of Bill 5 yesterday in Provincial Legislature, in spite of all the opposition to it from Chatham-Kent and Walpole First Nation, along with First Nations People from all over Ontario,” said Ward 4 Councillor Rhonda Jubenville. “I am saddened that our elected MPPs didn't stand against the portion of Bill 5 that threatened Dresden. I am hopeful that they will still work with us to provide the best possible outcome in this unfortunate situation. What is most concerning to me is the removal of the Environmental Assessment, which would have provided all the safeguards to make sure this project would proceed in an environmentally sound direction. I worry for the people of Dresden and the surrounding area, along with the impact on the land and farms, tributaries and air. I will continue to work with Chatham-Kent to oppose this project and give hope to a positive outcome in the end.”

“I am deeply disappointed that Bill 5 has passed. This is a difficult moment, but also time to regroup,” said Ward 4 Councillor Jamie McGrail. “I will be taking my direction through municipal administration, but make no mistake, I will continue to engage and fight alongside Dresden and the Municipality as we move forward with the ECA process.”

Defend Dresden Signs Now Available at the Dresden Municipal Office

Let’s stand together and make our voices heard. Stop by, pick up a free sign, and proudly show your support for Dresden!

Location: 485 St. George St. Dresden

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Cost: Free

Defend Dresden signs will also be available through Dresden Together and Dresden C.A.R.E.D. as well.

Mayor Darrin Canniff Sends Letter to Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks

May 2, 2025

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy

Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Via email: minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Dear Minister McCarthy:

Re: Defend Dresden; Strong Community Opposition to Landfill, Recycling and Waste Facility Proposals; 29831 Irish School Road, Chatham-Kent

I am writing to you on behalf of Chatham-Kent Municipal Council and our citizens, regarding a matter that would be destructive to our community and a major environmental impact.

As part of your government’s proposed Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025, a property at 29831 Irish School Road, Chatham-Kent is being considered for a landfilling, recycling, and waste management facility. We implore your government not to follow through with this proposal. Chatham-Kent has been very supportive in addressing Provincial priorities, such as significantly exceeding our assigned housing targets in 2023 and 2024; working collaboratively with Hydro One to facilitate the development of the various Priority Transmission Projects in Southwestern Ontario, the majority of which run through Chatham-Kent; supporting energy generation projects; and hosting an existing large landfill, known as the Ridge Landfill. However, we need you to ensure that the communities of our Province are protected when Provincial priorities are advanced.

The owners of these properties are trying to establish new waste, recycling and landfill uses under historic Ministry approvals. Those historic approvals were for very narrow uses, that had limited impacts on surrounding properties and our community. Our experts indicate that the types of environmental reviews that would be typical for a landfill, recycling, and waste facility of this size would not have been performed when very limited waste uses were established in the 1960s. This proposal, if approved, would have a devastating impact on the Town of Dresden and surrounding communities. Those who would be impacted include families, children, homes, farms, schools, businesses and importantly, our neighbouring Indigenous communities of Walpole Island First Nation and Delaware Nation at Moraviantown.

Your government showed great leadership in defending Dresden when, only a little more than a year ago, you passed Ontario Regulation 284/24 that required a full Environmental Assessment for this property. Only through a full Environmental Assessment process will the impacts of this proposal be fully understood, and we are confident that such a process would show that a landfill, recycling, and waste facility cannot be located this close to a vibrant and historic town. This property is just over 800 metres from the town of Dresden; imagine what it would be like to have such a facility 800 metres from your home. There is no feasible haul route for the hundreds of trucks that would go to and from the facility, meaning trucks would be driving through our towns and neighbouring communities, causing safety risks. This property is in a sensitive environmental area, which is particularly concerning when we see the limited environmental analysis that has ever been done to consider a landfill in this location. The property is not appropriately zoned and considering sensitive uses in close proximity, such as schools, it is hard to see how zoning changes to allow this use could be approved.

Municipal Council has now heard from our community, and there is resounding opposition to these proposals. Council has passed unanimous motions opposing this proposal and calling on your Ministry to reject the proposal.

We implore you, please do not include the repeal of Ontario Regulation 284/24 within Bill 5; please continue to require a full Environmental Assessment for any use of this property as a landfill, recycling facility and/or waste facility. Protect Ontario by protecting all parts of Ontario.

Sincerely,

Darrin Canniff, Mayor/CEO

Municipality of Chatham-Kent

Update - April 17, 2025

The Municipality has been made aware today that the Provincial Legislature has tabled legislation through Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, part of which is relevant to the Proposed Waste Facility North of Dresden on Irish School Road.

While the full details and impacts of this legislation are still unknown, the Municipality is providing as much information as it has about the matter to the public. The tabled legislation specific to the Proposed Waste Facility North of Dresden can be found on the Environmental Registry website at: Removing Environmental Assessment Requirements for the York1 Waste Disposal Site Project | Environmental Registry of Ontario.

Mayor Darrin Canniff and Council have unanimously opposed the waste facility proposal and passed a motion in February of 2024 directing staff to make submissions to the Province to require a full Environmental Assessment for any Waste Facility on that property.

Through several submissions to the Province, and due in part to the strong community opposition to this proposal, the Provincial Minister of the Environment approved a regulation (Ontario Regulation 284/24) that required a full Environmental Assessment for this property. As a result of that decision, any use for a waste facility would have required a thorough environmental assessment, including detailed opportunities for public comment.

It appears that the Province is now changing course on this waste facility proposal. The legislation tabled today would revoke Ontario Regulation 284/24 and remove environmental assessment (EA) requirements for the proposal to resume landfill operations and expand waste handling, processing, and transfer operations at the property.

Mayor Canniff, Council and municipal administration are prepared to fight this waste facility proposal. Expert lawyers and engineers have already been retained and are working to develop a strategy to oppose this waste facility proposal.

“We are extremely concerned about the recently announced direction the Province is considering regarding environmental assessments,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “I would like to make it very clear: myself, Council, and the community of Chatham-Kent will continue fight with every tool available to us against both the new legislative direction and the proposed waste facility.”

The comment period for this proposed legislation is open for 30 days, to May 17, 2025.

On January 29 and February 26, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent was notified by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks that York1 Environmental Waste Solution Ltd. had filed applications for a new waste processing site and landfill, respectively. In response, on February 26th Municipal Council passed a unanimous motion opposed in principle to the proposals, and to call on the Province to reject the proposal. Mayor Darrin Canniff has submitted a letter to the Provincial Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Hon. Andrea Khanjin, stating Chatham-Kent's serious concerns with the proposals.

We’ve heard much conversation and many questions throughout this process, so we’ve created these FAQs:

1. Will Bill 197 stop York1 from using the site as a landfill because of its proximity to Dresden?

The changes to the Environmental Protection Act that were included in this bill relate to new landfills. To date, it appears that York1 and Ministry staff have considered this property to have existing landfill approvals. Chatham-Kent does not necessarily agree, but as of right now, it is not entirely clear whether these powers can be used to stop the proposals.

2. Is there a “veto” that the Municipality can use to stop the process?

There is no clear veto ability for Chatham-Kent. However, there are obligations for York1 to get a number of approvals from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and to get land use planning approvals from Chatham-Kent. Each of these will be assessed on the merits of the applications, so there are some real opportunities for Chatham-Kent and concerned citizens to raise objections to the proposals. All of these processes also have potential appeal mechanisms, which may need to be considered.

3. When did the Municipality of Chatham-Kent learn about York1’s plans for the Dresden site?

It is acknowledged that there were a couple of high-level discussions with York1 in 2022. It is important to note that the Municipality takes many calls and inquiries from potential investors, and the first step is often to arrange an initial meeting to gather further information and to listen. Later in 2022, the Municipality asked York1 to provide further details on a couple of occasions regarding the overall scope and proposed uses for the property, an outline of the Provincial approval requirements and an outline of their proposed public consultation process. None of these additional details were ever received in advance of receiving the initial Ministry notice on January 29 of this year. To date, there has not been what we refer to as a formal planning pre-consultation meeting, and no planning applications have been filed with the Municipality, only applications with the Ministry.

4. Who is York1? Where are their other sites in Ontario?

According to their website, York1 provides environmental services to both public and private sectors, with a focus on non-hazardous solid waste management, soil remediation and beneficial reuse, and liquid waste solutions. It operates across Canada with a large presence in Southern Ontario. You can learn more about York1 at their website: www.york1.com

5. Where is the recycling material coming from?

The York1 proposal is for recyclables, demolition wastes, organic wastes, contaminated soils and asbestos waste originating from anywhere in the Province of Ontario.

6. What is the current active zoning permission on that land?

The current zoning for the site in Dresden is “Extractive Industrial – 365” or “M2-365”. The permitted uses of the M2-365 Zone included:

Agricultural Uses (no structures)
Asphalt and Concrete Batching
Buildings and Structures related to the above permitted uses
Open Storage
Pits and Quarries
Processing of Extracted Materials from the Site
Storage of Asphalt and Concrete for crushing (Special Zone Provision No. 365)

The site was zoned under the Township of Camden Zoning By-law before municipal amalgamation in 1998. The same permitted uses are permitted for the site in the prior Camden By-law and the current Chatham-Kent Zoning By-law that followed it.

While York1 has indicated that they believe this property enjoys “legal non-conforming use”, Chatham-Kent does not agree. It is Chatham-Kent’s expectation that York1 will apply for land use planning approvals, including submitting all necessary applications and supporting information.

7. Are the existing licenses expired?

Based on the information that Chatham-Kent has received to date, it appears that existing environmental compliance approvals are still active. However, Chatham-Kent’s initial assessment indicates that these historic approvals do not include the types of details and protections that would be excepted in modern environmental approvals.

Chatham-Kent will be raising concerns about the use of these historic approvals as part of this proposal when providing comments to the Ministry of the Environmental, Conservation and Parks.

8. Is the landfill currently dormant?

Information received and gathered by Chatham-Kent to date suggests that the existing landfill locations on this site are historic in nature, and have not been used as active landfills for many years.

9. Where do we go to add our comments to the proposed projects? What is the deadline to add comments for the proposed project?

There are two open comment periods on the Ontario Environmental Registry website. The first is for the recycling proposal, and closes on March 16, 2024. The second is for the landfill proposal and closes on April 11, 2024. Those can be found at:

York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd. as general partner for and on behalf of York1 Environmental Waste Solutions LP - Environmental Compliance Approval (waste) | Environmental Registry of Ontario

York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd., as general partner for and on behalf of York1 Environmental Waste Solutions LP - Environmental Compliance Approval (waste) | Environmental Registry of Ontario

10. What are the Municipality’s next steps?

Chatham-Kent has retained third party consultants to work with Municipal staff with the intention of submitting comments to the Ministry addressing municipal and community concerns with these proposals.

11. Who has ultimate control in deciding if York1’s amendments to the licenses are accepted?

The decision on whether to approve the proposals lies with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The decision on whether to approve land use approvals to change the use of this property lies with Municipal Council.

All these decisions have some potential appeal rights to tribunals/courts.

What is a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment?
Ontario Regulation 284/24
On June 28, 2024, the Province posted the decision and filed Ontario Regulation 284/24 requiring a comprehensive environmental assessment for the York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd.’s proposed project before it can be implemented. The environmental assessment process requires the company to identify potential impacts from the proposed project, possible mitigation measures to address any impacts and opportunities for the local community to submit comments. The project cannot be implemented unless approval is given by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and the Lieutenant Governor in Council for the project to proceed at the end of the environmental assessment process. https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8417
What is a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment?
The following Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) website provides a good overview on the steps in an Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA): Preparing Environmental Assessments
In short, the EA Act sets out a planning and decision-making process so that potential environmental effects are considered before a project begins. Individual environmental assessments are prepared for large-scale, complex projects with the potential for significant environmental effects and require MECP approval. The EA process includes: the consideration of alternatives, the assessment of environmental effects, and the development of mitigation plans to reduce any potential effects on the environment. Generally, an EA process will normally assess potential effects on the following aspects in a holistic manner, however, the specific items to be studied must be identified on project basis through a Terms of Reference at the onset that must be approved by the MECP:
- Natural Environment – potential impacts to groundwater, surface water, aquatic resources, species at risk, the atmosphere and climate change
- Socio-Economic Environment – potential social effects such as odour, noise, visual, dust, litter, agriculture, and the general economy
- Cultural Environment – potential impacts on cultural and archaeology resources
- Built Environment – potential impacts on surrounding land uses, transportation networks, haul routes and traffic
The following are the general steps in an Environmental Assessment:
Step 1: Develop and Submit a Terms of Reference
- The Terms of Reference serves as a framework for the preparation and review of an EA and outlines how a proponent will develop and evaluate alternative methods of implementing the proposal
- A Proponent must:
  - submit a Notice of Commencement to the Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
  - submit a Terms of Reference summary form
  - consult with the public, Indigenous communities and government agencies
  - document the consultation process and submit to the ministry with the Terms of Reference
  - outline the plan for preparing and evaluating the EA
- Prepare and submit the Terms of Reference document including:
  - the name and address of the proponent
  - how the EA will be prepared
  - purpose of the study or undertaking
  - description of and rationale for the undertaking and for alternatives
  - description of the existing environment and potential effects of the undertaking
  - assessment and evaluation
  - commitments and monitoring
  - consultation plan for the EA
  - flexibility to accommodate new circumstances
  - other approvals required
- MECP’s Role:
  - consults with the public, Indigenous communities and government agencies
  - coordinates a technical review of the Terms of Reference document
  - makes a recommendation to the Minister who decides whether or not to approve the Terms of Reference within 12 weeks from the date of submission to the ministry
- The proponent has an opportunity to take a "time out" to amend the Terms of Reference
- The Minister can refer a matter to mediation before making a decision or the proponent can begin the mediation process. The Minister can't send a Terms of Reference to a hearing
Step 2: Prepare an Environmental Assessment
- A Proponent must:
  - submit a Notice of Commencement to the Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
  - prepare the environmental assessment document once the Terms of Reference is approved
  - the environmental assessment document includes:
    - record of consultation
    - a monitoring framework that will be carried out if the undertaking is approved
    - a list of commitments
    - actions to prevent, reduce and manage environmental effects
    - environmental effects that may be caused
    - a review and evaluation of alternatives considered
    - results of the planning and decision-making process
    - the purpose of the project and a description of the undertaking
  - consult the public, Indigenous communities and government agencies
  - There are no limits on how much time a proponent can take to prepare the environmental assessment document.
Step 3: Submit an Environmental Assessment
- A Proponent must:
  - submit an EA summary form
  - submit the EA document to the Director, Environmental Assessment Branch for review and decision by the MECP
Step 4: Public and Government Review
- MECP coordinates public and government review of the document submitted.
- MECP consults with:
  - government experts
  - Indigenous communities
  - the public
  - any other interested party
- The public has 7 weeks to comment.
- Any time during the EA process, the proponent or any other interested persons can ask for mediation.
Step 5: MECP Review
- Includes:
  - a review of all public, Indigenous community and government agency comments
  - the proponent’s response to the comments
  - a discussion on whether the proponent is in compliance with your approved terms of reference
  - how the proponent has met the requirements of the EA Act
- MECP has 5 weeks to write and publish the Ministry Review.
Step 6: Public Consultation on the MECP Review
- The public, government agencies, Indigenous communities or any other interested party has 5 weeks to provide comments to the MECP
- During this time, anyone, including the proponent can:
  - provide written comments to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to identify any outstanding issues with suggestions for how they might be resolved
  - request a hearing
Step 7: Minister’s Decision
- The EA must be approved by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Cabinet before the project can proceed.
- Once public comment is finished on the Ministry Review, the Minister has 13 weeks to make a decision.
- The Minister may:
  - refer it to mediation
  - refer it to the Environmental Review Tribunal for a hearing
  - make a decision to approve, approve with conditions, or refuse
Step 8: Implement the Project and Monitor Compliance
- After the project has been approved, the proponent will need to gather other approvals as needed.
- These could include requirements found in the:
  - Environmental Protection Act
  - Planning Act
  - Ontario Water Resources Act
  - Species at Risk Act
When the proponent has received all approvals, construction can begin. The proponent must report on how they have complied with commitments in the EA and the conditions of the approval.

Page last updated: 11 Jun 2025, 10:01 AM

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