Ontario Government Bypasses Environmental Assessment for Dresden Landfill Expansion

The government of Premier Doug Ford is moving forward with a controversial plan to revive and expand a dormant landfill near Dresden, Ontario, as the province faces a shortage of waste capacity. According to reporting from CityNews Toronto and Global News, waste company York1 proposes expanding a site from 40,000 cubic metres to a maximum capacity of 1.6 million cubic metres—a volume equivalent to Toronto’s Rogers Centre.

The project includes a waste transfer station designed to process up to 3,000 tonnes of construction debris, soils, and recyclable materials daily. A traffic report commissioned by York1 suggests the site would see approximately 20 two-way truck trips per hour during peak periods. Local residents have raised concerns regarding water impacts—noting a tributary to the Sydenham River runs along the site—as well as traffic and proximity to schools and homes.

Chatham-Kent chief administrative officer Dave Taylor stated that the municipal council has been unanimously opposed to the project. Municipal officials argue that York1 is using outdated permits to avoid a comprehensive environmental assessment. While the Ford government initially pledged in March 2024 to conduct such an assessment, CityNews Toronto reports the government backtracked on this promise last year via an omnibus bill. This occurred despite opposition from local Progressive Conservative MPP Steve Pinsonneault.

Juliana Wilson, a spokesperson for Environment Minister Todd McCarthy, stated that the project can mobilize quickly because active permissions are already in place and a new environmental assessment would take nearly a decade. A spokesperson for York1 added that the provincial review will test the safety of the site. The window for public comment on the amended permits closes Dec. 21. If approved, the municipality notes the project remains subject to local zoning requirements after York1 dropped a lawsuit challenging those approvals.