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 the community of Chatham-Kent, 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, Municipal officials say.
Council and staff remain committed to continue working with our partners, both locally and provincially, to defend Dresden, Municipal officials added.
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, Municipal officials say.
“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.”
Ward 4 Councillor Rhonda Jubenville added: “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. 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.”
Ward 4 Councillor Jamie McGrail added: “I am deeply disappointed that Bill 5 has passed. This is a difficult moment, but also time to regroup. 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.”
Meanwhile, the Provincial Government announced the Legislative Assembly of Ontario’s spring sitting had concluded following “the passage of 10 historic government bills” part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building the most competitive and resilient economy in the G7.
Provincial officials said the legislation includes “important measures” aimed at unlocking free trade within Canada, unleashing the vast economic potential of the Ring of Fire and Ontario’s critical minerals, protecting communities from violent repeat offenders and improving health care and education, in addition to Ontario’s 2025 provincial budget.
In total, this recently passed legislation amended 54 existing acts and created 11 new acts, Provincial officials say.
“Voters gave us a strong mandate to protect Ontario against U.S. tariffs by building a stronger, more competitive economy that can withstand whatever comes our way,” stated Premier Doug Ford, in a media release.
“The legislation we have introduced and passed over the recent sitting delivers on that mandate and will help protect our workers, businesses and communities for generations to come.”
Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, is calling on the Premier to repeal Bill 5 after the government rammed through the legislation without consent, consultation, or debate, NDP officials say.
“This is a shameful day for our province,” said Stiles, in a media release.
“Doug Ford and his government have silenced communities, shut down debate, and pulled out all the stops to force through legislation that is nothing but a thinly veiled power grab. The government gave themselves unprecedented power, to create no-law zones anywhere they want, to do whatever they want. Premier Ford is using Donald Trump’s tariff threats to give himself the power to do away with laws with the stroke of a pen. They are ignoring their treaty obligations. But the fight against Bill 5 is far from over.”
Stiles added: “We know what happened when the government forced through the Notwithstanding clause, when they attacked the rights of workers, when they carved up the Greenbelt for their insiders – the people of Ontario fought back. Premier Ford needs to reverse course before it’s too late. Repeal Bill 5.”
Chatham-Kent administration are set to provide a verbal update on Bill 5 and the York 1 Dresden Landfill Proposal at the Monday, June 9, 2025 Council meeting.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Civic Centre in Chatham.
