Left to Right: Gord Pinard, Mayor Groves, Mayor Krantz, Mayor Meed Ward, CORE volunteer Credit: Photo from Saugeen Preservation Society newsletter
In late January, I was at a standing-room only rally opposing new mega-quarries and aggregate mining in Milton, Burlington and Caledon. Over 300 folks in attendance had one simple message for Doug Ford, “Listen to the people! Fulfill your promise!”
Ford promised the proposed Reid Road Reservoir Quarry in Campbellville would not proceed after residents and the municipality made it clear they did not want it.
“I believe in governing for the people and when the people don’t want something, you don’t do it. It’s very simple. I know the mayor doesn’t want it. No one wants it. I don’t want it. We’re going to make sure it doesn’t happen one way or another,” Ford said during a June 2020 press conference with Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. Yet, the quarry is still moving ahead over four years later.
To make sure Ford got the message loud and clear this time, rally moderator Mike Balkwill phoned Ford and got through to his answering machine so the entire room could tell him in unison, “Listen to the people and stop all new gravel quarries!”
Mayors Krantz, Marianne Meed Ward of Burlington, and Annette Groves of Caledon spoke at the rally, emphasizing the issue of aggregate mining will significantly influence voters during this snap election.
What’s really surprising is that Krantz, a dyed in the wool Conservative — see Ford fawning over Krantz here — is telling Ford to put the brakes on these unnecessary and unwanted projects.
In 2024, Meed Ward and Burlington council unanimously voted for a Resolution to the Province Ontario: Request to Deny Nelson Aggregates’ Expansion into Mount Nemo. The resolution asked Ford and PC MPP Zee Hamid to deny the expansion application by Nelson Aggregates and apply proper Niagara Escarpment designations to Mount Nemo lands.
The Niagara Escarpment Commission recommended establishing long-term protection through the re-designation of the Mount Nemo plateau to Escarpment Natural and Escarpment Protection (2016).
The recommendations came after the 2012 decision of the Consolidated Hearing Board which denied Nelson Aggregates’ application to re-designate its Niagara Escarpment property to ‘Escarpment Extraction’ due to footprint impacts on significant wetlands and the Jefferson salamander.
Milton PC MPP Zee Hamid previously campaigned on a pledge to "fight with the community" against the Campbellville quarry and Mount Nemo quarry, but was a no-show at the rally; did not answer questions organizers sent to him; and did not provide a statement to be read at the rally.
Oakville North-Burlington PC MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos was a no-show again and provided no statement.
The Jefferson salamander is at risk from the expansion of the Mount Nemo quarry in Burlington Credit: Doreen Nicoll
Meanwhile, Ford is transforming Caledon into a veritable wasteland by approving two warehouses, highway 413, a gravel pit and a mega quarry on prime farmland and greenbelt lands that sit at the headwaters of the Credit and Humber rivers.
Dufferin-Caledon PC MPP Sylvia Jones, who is feeling pressure to advocate for halting the Caledon mega-quarry and to approve Caledon's new aggregate bylaws, was also was a no-show and failed to issue a statement.
Municipalities, including Milton, Burlington, and Caledon, are urging the province to respect local decisions protecting community health and climate resilience while Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (RGMC) and local groups are mobilizing voters to support candidates who commit to pausing new aggregate mining approvals.
Gord Pinard, Conserve Our Rural Ecosystem (CORE) Burlington, stated, "The upcoming election is bringing renewed focus to previous campaign promises and local issues." Pinard made it clear, "In this area, all candidates will be wise to announce their stance on aggregate mining and environmental protection quickly and loudly."
CHCH had some great coverage of the rally including the 2020 video clip of Ford telling Krantz that he would make sure the quarry never happened. Watch that here.
Sarah Harmer and Jim Cuddy inspired those in attendance and kept the momentum going. Harmer will receive the Humanitarian Award at the 2025 Junos for her environmental and human rights advocacy. Credit: Photo provided by Mike Balkwill
Of course, Sarah Harmer who has been fighting against the expansion of the Nelson quarry in Burlington for 20 years was there to say a few words and sing a few songs with comrade Jim Cuddy, who was also part of a stellar group of folks who successfully fought against the Melancthon mega quarry in Orangeville.
Harmer’s Escarpment Blues is undoubtably the rallying cry for anti-quarry activists, while Balkwill reminded everyone to follow Blue Rodeo’s advice and, Try. The rally ended with an updated version of Woody Guthrie’s anthem to the common folk and workers of the world reminding us all that this is our land to steward and pass on to future generations. That responsibility includes demanding resources that are part of the public commons remain in the ground for the greater public good because, This Land is Your Land.
Left to Right: David Sylvester, Caledon Mayor Annette Groves and Mike Balkwill Credit: Photo provided by Mike Balkwill
And, that is my segue to this encore podcast with David Sylvester, Chair of the Forks of the Credit Preservation Group (FCPG). David explains what’s at risk, what the Demand A Moratorium Now (DAMN) campaign is and what actions listeners can take like sending a letter demanding Sylvia Jones, Dufferin-Caledon MPP, ask the Ontario government to designate the proposed Votorantim quarry proposal for an Environmental Assessment and another letter asking MPP Sylvia Jones to support Caledon’s new aggregate bylaws.
Ford and his Conservative majority could also have fast tracked Ontario Green Party Leader and MPP Mike Schreiner’s, Bill 111, No More Pits or Quarries in the Greenbelt Act, 2023 which passed its first reading in May 2023.
Or, you could just make really good use of your vote on February 27 and send the entire Conservative government packing.
"Failure is only guaranteed if you don't fight."— Mike Balkwill
Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (RGMC) brings together resident groups that defend lives and the environment from the devastating impacts of gravel mining in Ontario. RGMC supports the long-term goal of winning regulatory and legislative reforms that safeguard health, water, and nature, ensure community participation, and honour treaties and obligations with First Nations.
Action Milton, CORE Burlington and Forks of the Credit Preservation Group are residents’ groups and members of RGMC. Together they are protecting communities and the environment from the proposed Campbellville, Mt. Nemo, and Caledon mega-quarries.
Protecting Escarpment Rural Land (PERL) works to protect Mount Nemo on the Niagara Escarpment for future generations.
Download a fact sheet debunking aggregate industry myths on supply and demand and share what you learn with others in your community.
Download The High Road: A Municipal Action Plan to Win a New Standard for Gravel Mining in Ontario, a handbook for residents who wish to engage their local councillors in elevating gravel mining policy to the level of best practices.
Thanks to everyone who read today’s article and listened to my podcast. With your continued support, a little Nicoll can make a lot of change.
Music: Real Estate by UNIVERSFIELD is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. freemusicarchive.org.
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