From Dresden to Queen’s Park: Landfill fight deepens as integrity questions fuel debate

Dresden residents opposed to landfill operations near town are encouraged to hear the topic discussed at Queen's Park. CTV's Travis Fortnum explains.

Wendy Vercauteren and Martha Fehr are among the most visible opponents of a proposed landfill expansion in their small southwestern Ontario community.

They’ve spent the past year organizing public meetings, circulating petitions and encouraging neighbours to speak out — all to stop what they see as a major threat to Dresden’s environment and way of life.

“You look at the yard signs, you look at the community meetings that are happening,” Fehr said.

“I can’t say anyone in town wants this.”

The proposed site sits just outside town limits.

Residents say its close proximity to homes, schools and the Sydenham River makes it a poor location for high-volume waste processing.

Many also feel the project has moved forward without sufficient transparency or local consultation, leaving them frustrated.

On Friday, the two women learned Ontario Liberal MPP Ted Hsu had formally requested an investigation by the province’s Integrity Commissioner — a move they welcomed.

“I think that’s awesome,” said Vercauteren.

“I remember Ted being here and seeing the property, so we’re quite happy about that.”

Political donations under the microscope

The landfill site, located on Irish School Road just north of Dresden, was previously used for industrial waste disposal but has been inactive for decades.

In early 2024, York1 Environmental proposed reactivating the site to accept up to 6,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste per day — operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The proposal also outlined significant infrastructure development, including new buildings and waste processing capabilities.

Local residents quickly voiced concern about the site’s proximity to homes, schools, and the Sydenham River, citing both environmental and health risks.

Hsu’s request asks the Integrity Commissioner to examine whether more than $200,000 in political donations from the developers tied to the Dresden landfill influenced the Ford government’s decision to cancel a previously promised environmental assessment.

You can view donation records through the Elections Ontario contributions search tool.

“The people of Ontario need to know. Did political donations influence the cancellation of the environmental assessments?” Hsu said during a news conference at Queen’s Park Monday.

Premier Doug Ford, when asked about the project during a news conference in Windsor in March 2024, said it was the first he had heard of the Dresden dump.

He responded, “If the people like something, we do it. And if they don’t, we don’t do it.”

The remark was interpreted by many in the community as a sign the premier supported their opposition to the site.

But since then, legislation brought forward by his government — Bill 5 — proposes exempting the site from the environmental review entirely.

“What changed?” asked Vercauteren.

“The health and safety concerns we have haven’t changed.”

She added: “Don’t get me wrong, everybody’s entitled to political contributions… but it gets a little concerning.”

Fiery debate at Queen’s Park

The Dresden file took centre stage during Question Period Monday, with Liberal MPP John Fraser asking: “Why did the Premier break his promise to the people of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex?”

Fraser pointed to a 2022 property transaction involving what he called “a group of wealthy, well-connected insiders” — including Andrew and Daniel Guizzetti and business partner Brian Brunetti — who have collectively donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Progressive Conservatives.

Environment Minister Todd McCarthy responded by saying some of those individuals have also donated to the Liberals, adding: “That’s democracy.”

“We must address our landfill capacity challenges,” McCarthy said.

“We will be out of landfill within a decade if we do nothing.... We are taking action.”

Still, Liberal ethics critic Stephanie Smyth said the concerns extend beyond environmental policy.

“This isn’t just about a landfill,” she said.

“It’s about whether our democracy works for all the people — not only those with deep pockets.”

She added: “If you live in Dresden or anywhere in Ontario and you’re wondering whether your voice still matters — we’re here today to say yes, it does.”

Looking ahead

The women leading the charge locally are hopeful the Integrity Commissioner will act before the government does.

“My hope is that the Integrity Commissioner will halt things, if that’s possible, before proceeding with any further votes on Bill 5,” said Vercauteren.

“My fear is it could get shoved under the carpet and not investigated properly.”

They’re also urging people across the province to weigh in on the exemption proposal.

“It essentially opens the door for waste management companies to move in and open up a landfill wherever they want,” said Vercauteren.

Fehr said they’ve been setting up information tables at stores and community halls to help people make submissions.

“It’s probably the most important thing we can do right now — people just need to comment and say why or why not,” she said.

Public comments are being accepted through Ontario’s Environmental Registry until May 17.

You can read the full proposal and submit a comment here.

A group of Dresden residents is also planning to visit Queen’s Park on Tuesday.

CTV News reached out to York1 Environmental for comment but did not hear back by deadline.