A local MPP finally made a public statement over the province's change of course by removing an environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed Dresden landfill.
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault said on his social media on Friday that he has always opposed the dump on Irish School Road and wanted to speak directly to Dresden residents.
Pinsonneault said he has been receiving thousands of calls and emails lately about the EA reversal and he's angry and frustrated about it too.
"I do not support this landfill. I personally spoke to the premier and the ministers and told them the concerns of this landfill and I told them how I opposed it. The reality is I'm one of 80 votes (in PC Party) and no matter how I vote, it's not going to change the outcome," said Pinsonneault.
Pinsonneault noted he's listening and remains committed to ensuring the voices of Dresden are heard at Queen's Park.
"For an expansion to take place, the site will be subject to a strict environmental compliance process. If Bill 5 passes, I can assure you that I will make sure that every process will be followed to the letter of the law. This is not a nice position that we have been put into. However, I will do the job I was elected to do and make sure everything is done properly," he added.
He also said he doesn't know the landfill proponents.
A group of concerned citizens called Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (C.A.R.E.D.) is calling Pinsonneault's statement a long weekend media dump, adding that the pattern continues.
C.A.R.E.D.spokesperson Stefan Premdas told CK News Today that the announcement to remove the EA under Bill 5 was hidden in a mining portfolio just prior to the Easter long weekend and now the long overdue statement was released on Victoria Day long weekend.
"We find it strange that the Party Deputy Whip says there's nothing he can do," said Premdas. "Why is he not whipping the votes to stop the Bill. Why is he not acting to ensure the protection of the community from bad actors?"
Premdas wants a more vigorous response from Pinsonneault denouncing the proponent and project.
He also wonders why Pinsonneault has refused to meet with C.A.R.E.D. for one whole year.
C.A.R.E.D. believes Pinsonneault knows more than he's letting on and is asking for some answers.
C.A.R.E.D. also wants the provincial government to keep its promise of a full EA for the landfill.