NDACT Discussion Forum

Karren Wallace: Flamborough has been fighting a similar threat for the last five years, when David Lowndes purchased approximately 300 acres of land. Hamilton City Councillor Margaret McCarthy took a leadership role for her Flamborough Ward immediately when trees began disappearing and a quarry was hinted at, YEARS before an aggregate application was filed. She has championed that issue by successfully lobbying provincial politicians, Hamilton City Councillors and other municipalities for support. To see all that she has done on behalf of her constituents, go to her webpage at www.margaretmccarthy.ca We need and deserve that kind of political leadership here. It should NOT be up to the ratepayers to do a job for which politicians were elected. No elected official in Melancthon or Mulmur can honestly say they haven’t heard from the majority and the majority of qualified electors are NOT in favour of an open pit mine over prime agricultural land, water and the environment. The only entity that wants this, is one company who stands to make billions of dollars off the destruction of Melancthon Township. karrenwallace@sympatico.ca (05/29/09)

chris case: It would be sinful to destroy such beautiful farmland with such an ugly quarry. (06/08/09)

Karen Knight: Is our community so disposable.What are we leaving our children? No farm land polluted water and soil and air. No food or fresh water and what is the price we will be paid? Let's all work together to stop the quarry .. (06/09/09)

Louise Marcoux Phillips: Thank you NDACT for hosting and presenting such an informative and empowering meeting on June 20, 2009 at the Honeywood Arena. Listening to the concerns of Melancthon Township's younger generation voiced by Miss Kate Armstrong reinforces what our priorities must be; to leave the legacy of prime agricultural land and abundant clean water as provided for us via the Headwaters, intact. Thank you NDACT, for representing my family and I in these issues. (06/22/09)

Lynne: For the next meeting we would like to see less time allotted to Mr Michael Daniher! Under the guise of "Question and Answer" period, Mr Daniher is allowed to take over the microphone, to give 'generalised' replies to valid questions asked by concerned residents. In the January meeting Mr Daniher could not answer many of the questions put forward, yet now he can? Far too much time is wasted on him! This results in people walking out of the meeting - either because of boredom, or lack of interest in his fluffed-up excuses, which will probably be different again next time! I suggest the Q&A section be organised in advance. People should be asked to write down their question (on pre-printed forms) and hand it in, to allow more control over question period. Also some people may not feel comfortable standing up in front of a crowd. By doing this, I feel the question period would flow more smoothly, more questions would be addressed, and there would be records for follow up information purposes. (I would be happy to organise this) (06/24/09)

Louise Marcoux Phillips: Thank you NDACT for issuing a clear and concise communication regarding what is taking place in Melancthon Township at this time. The Highland Companies' agenda has not been made clear yet which makes the distribution of clear information even more necessary. I urge all tax payers and concerned citizens to add their voices to this protest and to decry the Highland Companies' environmentally unsound agenda. Call, write or email your Member of Parliament, Premier McGuinty and let them know your concerns, your issues and your outrage! (06/25/09)

Dave Boyle: Thank you members of NDACT for providing this communication forum. If it wasn't for your efforts this community would be in the dark concerning the activities of the Highland Co. For almost a year now ratepayers have voiced concerns to council with little or no real feedback. With all the input from citizens that council is receiving I am truely amazed that they have not taken a leadership role in protecting their constituents interests. Our Mayor's comment about trying to get the best possible deal just doesn't cut it. What exactally does that mean? I think I'm talking for the majority when all I ask for is transparency concerning Highland's activities and elected officials who will fight for the interests of it's electorate. Once again. Thank you NDACT and your supporters for stepping into the fight. (07/07/09)

Murray Laufer: I am completely against the development of this quarry and urge you to take steps to ensure that these plans are stopped forever. Developing this land for a quarry is completely inappropriate and unacceptable for these lands. (08/10/09)

Cyrus Sundar Singh: I am writing to express my outrage regarding plans for this quarry. I ask that these plans be permanently cancelled. (08/10/09)

Cyrus Sundar Singh: I am writing to express my outrage regarding plans for this quarry. I ask that these plans be permanently cancelled. (08/10/09)

Mary Lapierre: I've been folllowing what NDACT has been posting and what has been written in the papers. I really would like some clarification for I'm confused and have questions. If lost of land is one of your arguments then why is that I hear no one opposing windmills. I could argue that windmills will take away from land usage as well. As well as take about from the beauty of the land. If you are going to fight a pit you should fight the windmills as well. Otherwise you are being hypocritical. Two Acres vs 200 acres should not make a difference if you are so concerned about saving farm land. So again I ask why is it that there is and has never been any mention of ndact fighting windmills even your own mission statement is to preserve and protect ... including lands, character and lifestyle. I was reading notes that one of your voices submitted to council regarding the houses that are being removed. I really like her math but... In each of these houses that she is referring to how many of them actually still had kids for recreation? How many of these people rebuilt in our township? You speak of Higher education with the hope of returning. Without an industry to return to what would they do? Besides farming. Its not like my children would farm for although we own property we are not farmers. If your plan was to be followed and these houses where not torn down. Then what? They remain empty for rats and mice to live in? You're gonna force the company to maintain them? Force them to rent them? If someone could explain to me what your plan is for that please enlighten me. Thanks Mary (08/22/09)

Karren Wallace: Mary Lapierre: please come to the video dance fundraiser on Friday August 28 at the Honeywood arena and visit NDACT's table or contact any NDACT member to ask your questions. They would be glad to explain and provide answers. Thank you for your interest. Karren (08/25/09)

Paula Armstrong-Cameron: I support NDACT! (09/02/09)

Adrienne DiCastri: Once again a 'fast one' is being pulled on the people of Ontario. WAKE UP folks! This proposal is so outrageous that I am almost speechless..and those of you who know me know how unusual this is! Let's stop this CRIME. Do we not realize that water on this planet is a finite resource? Once it is gone it is gone! And with regard to our precious agricultural land.. but for the 3 to 4 inches of topsoil we have we would be a starving third world country! Add this to the fact that the US is draining Lake Huron and then imagine your province as a desert!! Step up and speak up for what is ours! Do what is right. We Canadians are far too complacent and as a consequence we are once again being taken to the cleaners. I for one am sick and tired of our 'politeness' being used against us by the unscrupulous and greedy whose vision does not extend beyond their immediate wallets. This is just one of many atrocities being perpetuated on our country by foreign money hungry investment companies!! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! (09/03/09)

Nick Visentin : We support NDACT, and oppose what Highland Companies is doing. (09/04/09)

Ido Visentin: I support the efforts of this site to get a full explaination and understanding of the short and long term affects of the aggregate proposal. (09/04/09)

Ido Visentin: I support the efforts of this site to get a full explaination and understanding of the short and long term affects of the aggregate proposal. (09/04/09)

Dave Adeney: As a camper at Unicamp, the 50-acre Unitarian church camp near Honeywood, I support the petition. I'm concerned that the headwaters of the Grand and other rivers may be negatively affected. Has the Six Nations Council been alerted to this potential threat? Their interest in the integrity of the Grand River goes back hundreds of years. They are a very effective lobby group and may be capable of acting quickly. (09/06/09)

Dave Adeney: Here's an excerpt from an Oct 10/09 article in the Hamilton Spectator about the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario's annual report to the legislator, released this week: .............. Elsewhere in the report, he says planning rules are weighted in favour of the aggregate industry and destructive uses of land. "Municipalities have little practical authority to restrict the approval of new pits and quarries under the existing land-use planning system. They also are often reluctant to restrict new operations because of the costly possibility of facing an Ontario Municipal Board hearing. This skewed process often results in frustrated local residents feeling disenfranchised by both their local politicians and the local government." Commenting on proposals for a new quarry in Flamborough and expansion of the Nelson Quarry in Burlington, Miller identifies a conflict in the Provincial Policy Statement (on land use) between protecting both mineral aggregate and natural heritage features. He repeats a 2006-2007 recommendation that the province "reconcile its conflicting priorities between aggregate extraction and environmental protection." ....................... (10/12/09)

Claire: I feel that excavation of this land at the headwaters of these rivers that supplies water to this beautiful farmland , would be an incredibly stupid, and short sighted approach, to the usefullness that quality soil can produce.These farms ought to be producing food, if not for us then, to export to parts of this country, or others that are in need. (11/25/09)

Karren: Claire The headwaters does not just supply water to this farmland, it supplies water to more than 1 million Ontarians. It is very, very disturbing to say the least that there is a possibility that this acquifer will be cracked open and damaged, with no possibility of repair, jeapordizing our source of clean safe drinking water. (11/26/09)

Ken: NDACT held a public meeting on January 16, 2010 at the Honeywood arena. It was excellent, with the guest speakers giving messages of hope and to not give up. Please support NDACT, take out a membership. (01/17/10)

Gary Christie: As president of the Nottawasaga Steelheaders, an active group of anglers, landowners and environmentally concerned individuals involved in the preservation and conservation of the Nottawasaga River watershed for over 20 years, our group fully supports the efforts of NDACT and others to halt the progress of this quarry. We find this project environmentally and agriculturally not sound. It is destructive and motivated by financial greed directed by individuals not from the area and not appreciative of the land, its ecological sensitivity and its people. We will do what we can to assist in stopping the quarry. There is absolutely no way that Highland can confirm that that a project of this magnitude and scale will not have an ecological effect, tomorrow, next month, one year or decades from now. They can compensate farmers and landowners for lost income but who do they compensate for a lost species. The legacy we pass on to our children and generations are based on what we do now. Let us not let them down. If something does happen to our watersheds and ecology will the principles of Highland will be available for comment or accountability?? How about MOE and other government officials who side with Highland? Would they be be available for comment and accountability?? We put a challenge out to sincere politicians working on behalf of their constituents to stand up and do the right thing of integrity and stop this quarry Gary Christie President Nottawasaga Steelheaders Visit our Website www.nottawasaga.org (01/17/10)

Nikki Cosack: How can we be hypocritical by not fighting the windmills? This fight just isn't about aesthetics, windmills won't go below the water table destroying our environment, and furthermore windmills are a re-newable resource whereas an open pit mine is most definitely not. When there is no more limestone, what do you think is going to happen? (01/21/10)

Minebuster: Nikki-you are preaching to the converted. The really ironic thing about windtubines is they are a HUGE user of aggregate. So, not only do we take prime agricultural land out of use to erect windturbines, we need to take prime agricultural land out of use to mine the aggregate to BUILD the turbines. And the provincial government today just signed a deal with Samsung to provide acres and acres and acres of turbines and solar "farms". No wonder they took all the authority for the planning process related to "green energy" out of the hands of the municipalities.....they had this big "deal" in the works. (01/21/10)

Dave Adeney: Last week on CBC TV's nationally-broadcast "Power and Politics" program, host Evan Soloman interviewed Sara Harmer about mixing her role as a singer-songwriter with that of an environmental activist. Her involvement with the anti-quarry group that successfully lobbied against enlargement of the Nelson quarry on the Niagara escarpment near Burlington was very effective. Could NDACT approach her and ask for a statement of support? A simple statement of support could be useful on the website and in other communications, including submissions to regulatory bodies. (07/21/10)

Harold Smith: Yesterday I was driving on the 2nd sideroad in Melancthon with a friend who told me about the quarry land assembly. It was quite lear that the many Stop the Quarry signs indicate that most people oppose this potential destruction of farmland. So do I. Please give me an email address so I can copy NDACT on my letter to Dalton McGuinty and my MPP Mike Colle in Toronto. Thank you, Harold Smith, 150 Hillhurst Blvd. Toronto M5N 1N8 (10/12/10)

Karren Wallace: Please email a copy of your comments to NDACT at info@ndact.com Thank you for your support. (10/30/10)

Karren Wallace: There are now 30 properties identified as having some or all the structures on them removed (or scheduled for removal) by Highlands. See the link on this site under demolition. (12/10/10)

Karren: Highlands has filed and despite people saying NDACT was fearmongering-it is worse than anything anyone imagined. 2,400 acres, 200 feet below the water table on prime ag land with 8,000 trucks a day, 24/7 operating, but no blasting on stat holidays. Good god. (03/15/11)

bob durette: i have a request more than a comment . i would like some updated information on this subject. thank you. (03/26/11)

karren: There are newsletters posted on this site, together with links to news articles, etc. If you would like more detailed information, please email me at karrenwallace@sympatico.ca (03/29/11)

Betsy Ingram: I tried printing off the printable version for this petition, only to find that I could not get a complete image of the petition. Suggestions? (04/18/11)

Maryan Tisdale: Where are the politicians who can STOP this Desecration of prime agricultural land??? The water table will affect thousands of people when it is altered..It is criminal to allow this to happen. I hope EVERYONE will stand up to these people and STOP this destruction....l (04/20/11)

Diane Baker Mason: My name is Diane Mason. This is outrageous, short-sighted, and irreversible. Please continue the fight. (04/28/11)

Fred Barnes: Count me in. I'm no tree hugger but this is ridiculous. Having been raised on a market garden just west of Toronto(Islington) I know what this sort of development can do to our valuable farmland . In our case the rich loamy topsoil was bulldozed off and sold after we sold to development ! We keep doing this and our viable agricultural land we be gone forever. (05/04/11)

karen jones: Heard about this on CBC 'As It Happens', when I saw the map, I said 'holy %^*#' My question 'is your group a registered non-profit and who can I make the cheque out to?' You need a lawyer. I cannot find a contact us button on the web site. This is a National Story. What about the Sierra Club and Greenpeace? Are they onboard yet? Karen (05/09/11)

Sheldon Lawlor: There are many clear reasons why this application should not be approved. This proposed quarry would be located in prime Southern Ontario land, in Dufferin County, in the headwaters of five major rivers – the Pine, the Grand, the Nottawasaga, the Saugeen and the Beaver, creating a giant pit 236 feet deep, over a land mass of over 2,400 acres. This pit would be well bellow the water table, destroying much needed already scarce Ontario farmland (an area comprising of 16 per cent of the province’s potato crop production), and upstream to over one million people whose water could be affected as this tract of land acts as a natural water filter for their communities' drinking water. The project is so immense that local councils and agencies can’t begin to imagine how they would be able to marshal the resources to evaluate it. There would be 16 pumps running 24/7 indefinitely, to “manage” 600 million litres of water a day (equivalent to the daily consumption of the entire province’s population). Two important resources are at stake: water and agricultural land. For the reasons mentioned above this plan should not be approved at all. Does the Ontario government take its responsibility to protect our dwindling. resources seriously? Does the proponent is the Highland Companies (who applied to the Aggregate Resources Act under the name:319574 Nova Scotia Company) have the best interests of the people of this region and the interests of Ontario's dwindling resources in mind? Highland began amassing land in Melancthon and Mulmur Townships, in north Dufferin County, about five years ago and now holds approximately 7,000 acres, to mine limestone in depths as far as 200 feet below the water an area that is acknowledged as primary source for water regeneration to 2 major Ontario water sheds. It has cleared trees and demolished homes and barns. It is the responsibility of the Government and the industry to represent the interests of it's people, and it's communities above and beyond the private interests of business. Especially when it is a business from abroad which wishes only to extract resources from other communities. The problem is that the regulatory process is biased towards a presumption of development, where applications are actually rejected, but simply amended over and over until they are finally accepted. This process is very inefficient costing taxpayers, millions of dollars in the array of governmental reviews that can drag on for up to a decade. The result of many of these applications, regardless of the number of amendments, remains practically unbenefitial for the long term interests of the region's they seek to exploit. These region's economic stability are threatened, for the natural resources that provide not only jobs but basic elements of survival are permanently diminished and jobs provided are impermanent, amassing substantial profits for often foreignly owned companies. Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller expressed concern that once proposals for new aggregate operations are initiated, they appear to be unstoppable, no matter the ecological or social cost. Miller urged the provincial government to reconcile its conflicting priorities between aggregate extraction and environmental protection. He suggested a new mechanism within the approvals process that screens out, at an early stage, proposals that conflict with identified natural heritage or source water protection. This quarry would permanently affect the water, the landscape/land value, destroying crucial agricultural land/ lively-hood of local residences, potentially cause disastrous environmental scenarios for decades, while undermining the Indigenous People's legal title to this land. The benefits do not out weigh the costs for the Ontario Communities. Thus, I am strongly shocked that this quarry is being considered at all; it demonstrates an alarming lack of for-thought for public interests in municipal and provincial Government. ACT RESPONSIBLY AND DECLINE THE APPLICATION FOR THE MELANCTHON MEGA QUARRY!!! (05/29/11)

Nancy Groshens: I agree with the petition and the comments posted on the ndact.com website. 135 George Street South, Suite 201, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4E8 (06/05/11)

Lyn Brennan: I fully support the petition to stop this and the continued destruction of our farmland and water tables. (07/02/11)

Tania Gill: I support this petition. I live in Toronto and my brother and nephews live just west of Shelbourne. my address: 49 Hepbourne St. apt.1 Toronto, ON M6H 1K2 (07/07/11)

Irene Polley : I cannot understand why the Ontario government would allow any company to ruin such precious land and water resources. Environmental assessment of the proposed mining project is an absolute must! (07/08/11)

Ethan Rigby: I have to wonder- what are our MPP's doing about this? The liberals were no where to be found- Dalton McGuinty abandoned support against the mega quarry, and now that there's an election looming, all of a sudden this Holloway person is saying she's concerned? I say we ensure we vote in the person who was concerned and there from the get go- Sylvia Jones. Pretending to be concerned and contradicting actions that your party perforrmed earlier sounds pretty untrustworthy to me. As quoted from a previous article: North Dufferin Agriculture and Community Taskforce vice-chair Carl Cosack still found it troubling that Premier Dalton McGuinty had (literally) ‘turned his back’ on NDP leader Andrea Horwath when she delivered as many as 1,300 petitions seeking the extension. The petitions had been taken to Queen’s Park by Mr. Cosack and a representative of the Council of Canadians (Ontario-Quebec organizer Mark Calzavara), who were introduced by Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones.” (08/17/11)

Gloria Ramnath: Our Canada;Our Land We are in the millions but can we see the thousands? "our votes don't count" they cry "our voices don't matter" they sigh Oh! the nation's weariness! this is what the greedy bullies count on did we help the voiceless asians south americans central/latin americans africans when "the few" plundered their lands leaving them in destitution? did we help them to help us? Now they have trekked onto our lands they want our resources "they will get it' you lament will we let them without a fight? will we let the short-term gain disguise the long-term pain? will our governments be promised palaces? will we then be controlled? divided? conquered? or will we nurture the quiet, unsure voices and shout out in unison drowning out the greed of the few? the millions must stop be bullied and ruined by the few You are brave You are strong You are many, the crooks are few (10/15/11)