Hundreds of people from across Chatham-Kent were in Dresden for a meeting against a proposed landfill next to the community.
It was held on Monday at the Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre with municipal officials taking time to highlight what's being done to fight back against the project.
The meeting also comes a few weeks after the Ontario government tabled legislation that would remove environmental assessment (EA) requirements for the project.
"It's criminal in my opinion, absolutely criminal and unethical. I can't imagine that this would proceed, this is people's lives and their health," said Mary Lou Muschik, one of the many people who took part in the meeting.
Many feel the same way as the province had originally approved EA requirements after a strong advocacy campaign from residents and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
"It's just so annoying that something that was (approved) by the government... that they can renege and take it away," added Brian Cammaart, another member of the public who was at the meeting.
At the time, many against the landfill saw the EA requirements as a big win since it would force York1 Environmental Waste Solutions, the company proposing the landfill, to undertake several studies, consider other alternatives, and allow the public to share their thoughts.
"EA (requirements) don't stop the project, but it puts a high bar that needs to be [hurdled]," explained Colin Leger, a lawyer with Garrod Pickfield Environmental, Municipal and Planning Law.
This law firm was hired by the municipality, along with the consultant group Grounded Engineering, to try and get the EA requirements brought back.
At this time, this is the municipality's main plan to fight back against the landfill.
They're also asking everyone to share their concerns about the project through the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Dave Taylor, CK's Director of Legal Services, mentioned this tactic was used to help get the EA requirements approved in this first place.
"We need to double, triple that [original] opposition," he added.
The community group Dresden Together is holding a workshop on Wednesday at the Old Czech Hall where they'll help people file their complaints online. It gets underway at 7 p.m.
Dresden Cared, another community group against the project, also helped people do the same at Monday's meeting.
Meanwhile, at least one member of the public believes the municipality is doing what it can to fight back against the landfill.
Sheri Swan explained she wasn't sure municipal officials were stepping up to the occasion, but her views changed after Monday's meeting.
"I think at this point the municipality is doing a good job. I think they're doing the best they can given the circumstances," she said.
Municipal officials also said the circumstances will change once the proposed legislation passes or not. At this time, they don't know if they're fighting back against the original applications filed last year by York1 or brand new ones.