Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles joined Dresden rally against Bill 5

DRESDEN — Yesterday Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles was in Dresden to stand with residents, advocates, and local leaders who have been working to stop the expansion of the Dresden landfill.

Stiles joined members of Dresden CARED and Chatham-Kent municipal councillors to call on the Ford government to repeal Bill 5. The legislation strips away long-standing environmental protections and allows the landfill to move ahead without the proper public consultation or environmental assessment that was originally promised.

“People in Dresden deserve better than backroom deals and broken promises,” said Stiles. “Bill 5 is a power grab, plain and simple. It forces through ‘no law zones’ without listening to the people who have to live with the consequences. Here in Dresden and across the province, people need leadership that’s all in, all the time – not just when there’s an election.”

Over the past month, Stiles and the Ontario NDP have joined First Nations leaders, environmental organizations, and local community groups to fight back against Bill 5.

Background:

• Bill 5 gives the Ford government sweeping powers to bypass local planning rules and environmental assessments for landfills and other developments.
• The Dresden landfill was supposed to undergo a full environmental assessment before any expansion could proceed, but the government reversed course.
• Advocates warn this sets a precedent for ignoring community input across Ontario.