Ontario Construction News staff writer
Calling it a major victory for environmental advocates and local communities, the Forks of the Credit Preservation Group (FCPG) has announced that the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) has ruled in favor of the Town of Caledon, upholding its Aggregates Reform Interim Control By-law (ICBL) and dismissing a key appeal from CBM Aggregates.
This decision comes as ongoing opposition to the proposed 798-acre quarry in northwest Caledon continues. CBM Aggregates, a prominent player in Ontario’s aggregate industry, had appealed the ICBL, arguing that the town’s restrictions would negatively impact the “economic well-being of the province and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).” CBM’s planner testified that aggregate reserves near the market were “critically low,” asserting that the quarry project was essential to meet the region’s growing aggregate demand.
The proposed quarry would be located on farmland, 50 acres of woodlands, and wetlands, and is bound by the Credit River to the east, Cataract and Forks of the Credit Provincial Park to the south, Mississauga Road to the west, and just below the TPC Toronto/Osprey Valley Golf Course to the north. This area is home to significant ecological features, including over 60,000 trees and vital habitat for at least five species at risk.
Despite the industry’s claims of an aggregate shortage, FCPG intervenors at the Tribunal hearing presented compelling evidence refuting these assertions. They highlighted that Ontario has licensed more than 13 times the amount of aggregates needed to meet the province’s annual average consumption of 165 million tonnes. The Tribunal acknowledged this information, ultimately siding with the FCPG’s argument.
Local residents, environmental groups, and community members have long opposed the quarry, citing concerns about its impact on the region’s quality of life. The proposed below-the-water-table blasting operation would pose risks to the Credit River’s water quality, cause extensive loss of farmland and wildlife habitat, and result in significant dust contamination and increased truck traffic throughout the area.
“The negative consequences for our community would be profound,” said FCPG in a statement following the decision. “When finally depleted, the Forks of the Credit will be left with a colossal gaping hole in the ground that will remain forever. Our goal is to preserve the ecological integrity of Caledon and protect the Heart of the Headwaters by stopping this proposed below-the-water-table blasting quarry.”
This ruling marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle to protect the region’s natural landscape, as the FCPG continues to push for conservation efforts to safeguard the local environment. With the Tribunal’s dismissal of CBM’s appeal, the town of Caledon’s decision to protect its natural resources has been upheld, ensuring that efforts to preserve the Forks of the Credit region will remain intact for future generations.