Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow joined a group of over 700 community members who marched on Dump Site 41 on July 4 to protest construction on top of the Alliston aquifer, which holds some of the purest water in the world.

"[The march] was big and it was determined. It was a real celebration of the water there, and a clear determination that we won't let it be destroyed with this dump site," she says.

In 1976, the Alliston aquifer was the first groundwater complex mapped by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. It is a primary water source for numerous municipalities, and eventually flows into Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe, Lake Scugog and Lake Ontario.

Water removal and construction of the landfill had already begun when the level of resistance escalated yet again on July 7, when a group of aboriginal women set up a blockade preventing entry into the site.

"It's a very peaceful blockade, done by the women as keepers of the water," Barlow says.

Concern over Site 41 is growing across the country, from individuals and groups such as the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

"We met with a number of mayors and councillors who told us they are getting calls from across the country," she says. "I think there are going to be more and more fights like this in Canada and in Ontario as we continue to search for places to put our garbage... It's not just going to be a problem for Tiny township. It'll be in all of our backyards."

She encourages people in Ottawa to contact Premier Dalton McGuinty to demand a long-term waste disposal plan that won't put Ontario's water at risk. "There is so much we could learn from Europe in terms of reducing waste," she adds.

In the meantime, environmentalists are calling for a one-year moratorium on Site 41 construction until the potential effects of the dump can be further explored through independent review and public consultations, a solution that has been embraced by some council members who previously supported the dump.

Barlow asks warden Tony Guergis and Simcoe County councillors who voted for the dump: "Do you want your community to be known as the city that put a dump site on the purest water in the world?... It's okay to admit that you made a mistake and that you've got new information now."

Sign the petition and start following the group on Twitter for updates at www.stopdumpsite41.ca.
 
 

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Ongoing protest at DUMB Site 41     On July 25th peaceful protesters will again be rallying together to protest dump site 41 .They will walk and join together at the native emcampment directly across from the site where aboriginals have been camped for over 60 days . .Farmers,cottagers.natives.teachers,environmentalists and politicians past and present will join together as one to protest the fact that the county of Simcoe, with the approval of the provincial government , is building a dump site on top of the purest water in the world . Along side them you will find concerned people from all over Ontario. Not since the 60's and 70's have we seen people practice civil disobedience. This dump location has prompted Aborigianl peoples to come to the aid of all concerned and stand as one in the opposition of this dump . History is being made as we speak .The fact that the officials who voted for this dump are withholding information and statistics concernig the safety of this site speaks volumes . At the expense of our selves and future generations they will not admit that they made a mistake and seek to over up or withold to jusify thier actions . Join us on July 25th and let your voices be heard . Camping is permissable . The camp policy of no alcohol,drugs or unpeacful behaviour must be adhered to . Please respect that the camp follows environmentaly sound rules such as refillabe, reusable, biodregradable etc. The camp is located in Tiny Township off hwy 27, north of Elmvale west of Waverly .Take county Rd.6 (off hwy 27) to concession 2 follow the signs.Come and find out how far reaching the Aliston aquifer reaches and how it effects all of us no matter where we live in Ontario.
Barbara Andrews		July 19th, 2009

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