In about 1993 the aggregate industry wrote a report titled the "Aggregate Resources of Southern Ontario, A State of the Resource Study" in which they stated aggregate was a non-renewable resource and there was an impending shortage and it was important to the survival of the world as we know it (I am paraphrasing here) to dig as many holes, I mean pits and mines as possible IMMEDIATELY. As a result provincial policies were implemented that favour aggregate over everything and I mean everything, even water and food.
The province is looking at their aggregate policies again. At the "consultation table" is Conservation Ontario, Ontario Profesional Planners Institute (OPPI), Niagara Escarpment Commission, and several ministries (OMAFRA, MNR, MEI, MTO and MAH) and oh yeah a group that is registered with the Provincial government as a lobbyist organization known as the Ontario Sand & Gravel Assocation (OSGA).
Couple things to note here. The OSGA is funded by the very VERY wealthy aggregate industry and OSGA champions their cause which is basically making money.
The Niagara Escarpment Commission has a mandate is to protect the escarpment, yet curiously that hasn't stopped aggregate companies from operating in the escarpment. Oh yeah, did I mention there is an individual from the lobbyist group Ontario Sand & Gravel Association on the NEC-surprised?
Seriously, you can still be surpised by this type of nonesense?
Another item to note: the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MEI) and Ministry of Transportation (MTO) are two ministries with some of the largest budgets after health and education and are both in the business of growth, which requires what? Everybody, say it together-aggregate.
Hm, wonder what the recommendations are going to be that come out of this "consultation"?
Please write our illustrious Premier, while he is still in office and express your concern about the representation at the aggregate consultation table to:
Dalton McGuinty, Premier
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1
FAX: (416) 325-3745
OR
email address at this link:
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