The York1 waste disposal site project is no longer subject to Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act, following the passage of the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.
The decision was posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario on Friday, July 4, 2025.
The legislation, which received Royal Assent on June 5, 2025, removes the requirement for a comprehensive environmental assessment of York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd.’s proposed landfill and waste processing facility in Chatham-Kent. The move is intended to help provide additional waste capacity in the province, the Ministry said.
The act revokes Ontario Regulation 284/24, which had previously designated the project as a Part II.3 undertaking under the Environmental Assessment Act, and exempts the project from other environmental assessment requirements.
Despite the exemption, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) says the project will still be subject to provincial oversight, including Environmental Compliance Approvals under the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act.
The decision follows a 30-day public consultation period during which the Environmental Registry of Ontario received approximately 2,162 submissions. The majority expressed opposition or concern about the project. Key themes included environmental impacts, the need for alternatives to landfilling, past compliance issues, and the project’s expanded service area — which includes the potential to receive waste from the City of Toronto.
Concerns were also raised about the site’s proximity to homes, schools, floodplains, and sensitive environmental features such as Molly’s Creek, the Sydenham River, and prime agricultural land. Commenters cited risks to water quality, species at risk, and cumulative health and environmental effects.
“MECP reviewed and considered the comments received on the proposal,” the Ministry said.
“No changes were made to the proposal in response to the comments received. The proponent will be required to obtain Environmental Compliance Approvals under the Environmental Protection Act and Ontario Water Resources Act before it can proceed with the project.”
Ministry officials added: “In addition, the ministry, with assistance from the proponent, will consult with Indigenous communities and the public on Environmental Compliance Approval applications for the proposed project, and consider any comments received before deciding on such applications.”
More details can be found, here.
