Highland Companies withdraw plans to develop Melancthon quarry after public outcry

OTTAWA – Michael Chong, M.P. for Wellington-Halton Hills, today welcomed news by the Highland Companies to cancel the proposed mega-quarry in Melancthon Township. Stretching nearly 2,500 acres, the proposed mega-quarry would have been one of the largest open-pit mines in North America, measuring 3 miles across and 200-feet deep, and pumping 600 million litres of water a day.

The mega-quarry would have destroyed prime farmland and natural habitat for local flora and fauna, and would have affected the Nottawasaga and Grand River Watersheds, as well as the groundwater used by one million Canadians downstream in these watersheds.

Chong thanked the North Dufferin Agricultural & Community Task Force (NDACT) and all community activists who have worked tirelessly to oppose this quarry. Chong said, “It is because of the tireless support of local residents that we were successful in fighting this quarry.”

Since learning of the proposal in 2011, Chong has been engaged at the federal level to stop the project from proceeding, along with his colleague, David Tilson, M.P. for Dufferin-Caledon. “Because of concerns from constituents who were opposed to the mega-quarry, I stood in the House of Commons on June 15, 2011, to voice my opposition. Less than a year and a half later, the application for the mega-quarry was withdrawn.  This shows that democracy works,” said Chong.

“Ontario’s valuable farmland needs to be preserved for future generations.  I’m pleased to see that the Highland Companies listened to the concerns of thousands of Canadians in Dufferin and Wellington Counties, and across Southwestern Ontario, and withdrew this application,” concluded Chong.

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