Zero Waste 4 Zero Burning

The problems with the Durham incinerator project remain despite government agency approvals. Now, there are new problems coming to light, over and above previous concerns that were never acknowledged and addressed by Durham Region and the Province.

DurhamCLEAR.ca has issued new information about the public gathering outside the incinerator groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning, 10am.

• When: Wednesday, Aug 17 10:00am to 2:00 (critical time will be about 10:45—12:30 - that will catch all the dignitaries as they arrive and most of them as they leave).
• Where: Osborne Rd at the entrance of the water treatment plant (access via Solina Rd - Osborne is closed for construction) see parking info below.
• Bring yourself, bring all your friends
• Bring signs if you have one or can make one
• Bring Sunscreen & water bottles (non-disposable, please) - It is supposed to be sunny and warm
• Have fun!

Doug Anderson writes:

I visited the site this afternoon and here's what's happening.

Council voted at a special meeting July 26, 2011 to adopt the Co-Owners Agreement with York Region. This agreement contains a clause to delegate authority to staff to issue Notice to Proceed to construction to Covanta.

We sincerely thank the Mayors and Regional Councillors who voted against the incinerator and stood up for the residents of Durham and beyond:
Clarington: NONE
Oshawa: Mayor John Henry, John Neal
Whitby: Joe Drumm
Ajax: Mayor Steve Parish, Colleen Jordan
Pickering: Jennifer O'Connell, Peter Rodrigues
Brock: none
Scugog: none
Uxbridge: none
It's not too late to send them a nice note of thanks.

Durham and York Regions have announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the incinerator and you're not invited! (see the invitation)

So in spite of not being invited to this groundbreaking event, we would like to cordially suggest that everyone invite a friend (or more) to a public rally
Wednesday August 17, 10:30 AM
Outside the site, 72 Osborne Rd., Courtice (south of 401, east of Courtice Rd.) [MAP]
so that we can welcome the special invited guests to their closed event as they arrive.

The vote June 29 on the motion to request a medical opinion from Durham Medical Officer of Health and to request details of the proposed contract with York Region for co-ownership of the planned incinerator in Courtice went 15-13.

In other words, a motion to protect the health of residents and to carefully examine a 20-plus year contract passed by a single vote. A tie would have been broken by Chair Anderson and the report might have passed with no further scrutiny.

Durham Region councillors voted Wednesday June 29 to request a medical opinion from Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, on the effects of allowing the proposed incinerator to vent double the amount of a critical pollutant known as PM2.5 than was originally predicted. The motion, moved by Oshawa councillor Nancy Diamond and seconded by Ajax councillor Shaun Collier, also asked for details on costs of conditions of approval and for details around the co-ownership contract with York Region.

This media release was issued Wednesday June 29 jointly by
ZeroWaste4ZeroBurning.ca
DurhamEnvironmentWatch.org
DurhamCLEAR.ca

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT IGNORED PUBLIC INPUT BEFORE APPROVING DURHAM INCINERATOR

Durham residents attending the Regional Council meeting Wednesday June 29 learned that the Ministry of the Environment had granted the Certificates of Approval (C. of A.) the day before, June 28. The final decision to proceed now rests with Durham Region Council.