The list of people and groups against the Ontario government's plans to remove environmental assessment (EA) requirements for the proposed Dresden Landfill continues to grow.
The Anishinabek Nation, a political advocate for 39 member First Nations across Ontario, is calling on the province to avoid passing Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, at this time.
It's through this legislation that Premier Doug Ford's government is trying to revoke previously approved EA requirements.
In a statement, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige called out the move.
"To allow lands of economic value that have been cited for development to be exempt from protective checks and balances, such as archaeological assessments and wildlife and ecosystem protections, as proposed in this bill will cost First Nations and Ontarians profoundly, exposing and setting back species at risk protection and leading to the destruction of First Nation burial sites and artifacts," she said.
Debassige didn't mention the Dresden Landfill in her statement, however, it's the only project under Bill 5 that the province is planning to revoke its EA requirements.
Much of Debassige's statement focused on the lack of consultation there's been with Indigenous peoples and groups. She specifically called out how the Bill threatens their Treaty Rights.
"The prioritization of non-Indigenous economic growth over First Nation lands and rights leads to further marginalization and creates an imbalance that cannot be supported and was not envisioned by our ancestors in the creation of treaties," added Debassige.
The Ontario government is defending its Bill, specifically the parts focused on the Dresden Landfill.
It claims the project is desperately needed as the province's landfills are expected to be full within the next decade. When it comes to EA requirements, the Office of the Premier states it will undergo extensive environmental processes.