Council wants more information, for moratorium that could impact Walker Industries
Niagara Falls city council is pausing on moving forward with a temporary pause, or moratorium, of aggregate mining development.
A number of Ontario communities are going with the moratorium, after the province's Auditor General just published that many companies would rather pay fines than annual fees, the number of Ministry inspections have dropped, and the province didn't pursue any penalties, among other issues.
A number of councillors, including Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg, said council needs more information, including for an application by Walker Industries for a proposed quarry. "They kind of painted a brush upon all people that run quarries here, and that's not really 100% fair. It made it sound like everyone that operates here, be it Rankin, or Walker, Waterford or Lincoln quarries that they didn't abide by everything... that report was very general."
Local resident David Rupay was hoping for the moratorium, he lives near the proposed Walker site.
He pointed out there are many quarry companies, and added local companies are not even used for the hospital construction.
"The aggregate for that concrete, is being transported from Milton. Even though there is one large family firm here in Niagara Falls, that has an aggregate plant... there is another one in Fort Erie."
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