Premier Doug Ford shared his phone number, and on Saturday, over 200 people at a rally in Milton called it together.
The Reform Gravel Mining Coalition held the rally at Milton’s Country Heritage Park, urging the provincial government to stop quarry projects in Milton, Burlington, and Caledon. The event featured speeches from three mayors, support statements from provincial opposition leaders, and live music by Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo and Sarah Harmer.
During the rally, the crowd left a voicemail for Ford, chanting, “Listen to the people now! Stop the Campbellville quarry, stop the Mt. Nemo quarry, stop the Caledon mega quarry.”
The rally focused on the Reid Road Reservoir Quarry in Campbellville, the Nelson Aggregates quarry expansion in Burlington, and the CBM Caledon Pit/Quarry. Activists argued these projects could harm the environment, create unsafe water conditions, and endanger nearby communities.
Supporters of the quarries, however, believe they provide essential resources and create jobs.
A video clip from 2020 showed Premier Ford visiting Milton and promising to “make sure [the Campbellsville quarry] doesn’t happen.” This statement has been central to the opposition’s efforts.
Milton Mayor Gord Krantz reaffirmed his opposition, saying, “I’ve opposed this right from day one. The premier is well aware. If I’m opposed to it and the people are opposed to it, then he should be opposed to it too.”
Milton MPP Zee Hamid was absent from the rally, a fact criticized by several speakers. Hamid later stated he opposes the project but is waiting for the Environmental Assessment to conclude before making a final decision.
The Reform Gravel Mining Coalition, which opposes quarries across Ontario, is pushing for a moratorium on all new quarry approvals. They argue the current approval process favors the mining industry.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said opposition to the Nelson Quarry expansion has united her community. “We beat this once, and I believe we can stop it again,” she said.
Caledon Mayor Annette Groves called for changes to how quarries operate, emphasizing the unfair costs to municipalities. “They destroy our roads, create dust, and cause traffic, but we get nothing from them,” she said.
Speakers encouraged attendees to support candidates in the next election who oppose new quarries, donate to the cause, and contact provincial representatives to voice their concerns.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article has been gathered from local news sources. Please refer to the provided references for verification. Click Here.
Feel free to reach out to us at news@miltonbaithak.ca or follow us on WhatsApp, with any news tips, story ideas, or information you'd like to share. As a dedicated platform focused on advertising and curating news centered around MILTON, we welcome submissions related to businesses, news within the business sector, or inquiries about other people. Our goal is to assist you, whether you're interested in featuring your business or sharing relevant news.
Comments