Two petitions with a combined total of over 2,700 manual signatures collected in the riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex were presented to the office of MPP Steve Pinsonneault on November 29th.
These petitions resulted from the frustration and disappointment that local residents have felt over the recent ruling by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in favour of a proposed site plan for storage and distribution of sewage biosolids in the Municipality of Adelaide Metcalfe. This site plan remains with the OLT due to the Request for Review filed by the township.
It is important to understand that this is an Ontario issue. The final design of this site plan will set the precedent. It will be the first of its kind in Ontario. It will be the template for other such facilities in Ontario, including the one in YOUR backyard.
These petitions from Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and other ridings across Ontario were taken to Queen’s Park in Toronto and presented in the House on December 3rd. These petitions are now being circulated to various provincial government departments for comment.
The first petition asks for a moratorium on the land application of sewage biosolids until the associated risks can be assessed and fully mitigated.
There are states in the U.S. that have done thorough testing to determine the risks of land applying sewage biosolids. The result of this testing has been a full ban or severe restriction on the use of sewage biosolids. Ontario is not doing the testing.
The second petition asks for a moratorium on the approval and construction of storage and distribution facilities for sewage biosolids until proper guidelines, regulations and requirements can be put in place to fully mitigate the many known issues with the storage of sewage biosolids.
There are currently no guidelines or regulations in Ontario relating to facilities for the storage of sewage biosolids. There are also no guidelines for the maximum amount of sewage biosolids that could be stored in one location.
Our group, Citizens Concerned about Biosolids, also held a press conference at Queen’s Park on December 4th, 2024. Three members of our group spoke about the concerns with the proposed site plan for storage and distribution of sewage biosolids.
As the petitions are being circulated for comment, we are asking people to email their politicians to educate and inform them of the known issues and concerns with the use and storage of sewage biosolids.
In order to support the Request for Review, we are also asking people to email the Attorney General with their concerns about the proposed site plan and OLT process.
For the link to our press conference, information on contacting your politicians, or for more information about the facts relating to sewage biosolids, its use and storage, email us at ccab.ontario@gmail.com or find us on Facebook “Stop Spreading Sewage”.
Heather Horning,
Adelaide Metcalfe Resident
