Public comment period set to close for the proposed Dresden dump, MPP Pinsonneault addresses the issue

The consultation period closes today, Saturday, May 17, 2025, for the Province of Ontario’s proposed legislation to removing the environmental assessment requirements for the York1 waste disposal site project in Dresden.

The public comment period closes at 11:59 p.m.

To provide a comment, click here.

The community of Dresden, and neighbouring communities, have provided a unified voice against the province, since the Province announced the proposed legislation last month.

Here is our coverage over the past few weeks:

– Walpole Island requesting ‘urgent federal intervention’ to halt Dresden dump project

– Chatham-Kent Council ensuring every Ontario community is aware of the Dresden dump situation

– Kingston MPP Ted Hsu goes to bat for Dresden, seeking integrity commissioner investigation into dump project

– Hundreds pack Dresden’s arena for public meeting about proposed dump

– Walpole Island First Nation sending busload of residents to Dresden dump meeting

– Chatham-Kent holding public meeting in Dresden to discuss the proposed dump on May 5

– Councillor looking to reaffirm opposition to proposed waste site near Dresden

– ‘We are not ok with this’: Councillor encourages Dresden residents to unite, send comments to the Province

– Province is removing environmental assessment requirements for proposed York1 dump site near Dresden

“I know this decision is disappointing for many residents—I share those concerns. As a councillor, and now as your MPP, I have always prioritized the well-being of our community and strongly believe in the power of local advocacy,” said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, in a media release published on his website on April 22, 2025.

“I am actively engaging with the Minister of Environment to ensure that the unique perspectives and needs of Lambton—Kent—Middlesex are taken seriously throughout this process.”

Pinsonneault added what is not changing is that the project will continue to remain subject to strong provincial oversight and other regulatory requirements including Environmental Compliance Approvals (ECA) under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA).

Pinsonneault encouraged residents to fill out the ERO as well.

The newly elected MPP also published a video on his social media on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Watch it, here.

We’ll provide more details when they become available.