A proposal to transport a massive 395,000 tons of garbage from Ontario to be incinerated in the Pontiac region has sparked concerns among local residents. The Pontiac, a rural community generating only 5,000 tons of waste annually, is now facing opposition from the newly formed group “Citizens of the Pontiac” (CoP), which asserts that the Quebec community should not become Ontario’s dumping ground.
CoP plans to host a free public forum on Saturday, March 2, featuring Dr. Paul Connett, an international expert on incineration and alternatives, as the keynote speaker. The event aims to educate citizens about the proposal’s implications, with personal experiences shared by leaders of citizens’ groups who have dealt with similar burners in their communities.
Warden Jane Toller, advocating for the municipal waste-burning incinerator, has proposed accepting waste from Ontario. CoP disputes the environmental benefits, arguing that incineration is not a “green” solution, citing its negative impact on the environment, economy, and human health. The group emphasizes the high costs and operational issues associated with incinerators, pointing to the failed Ottawa incinerator known as the “Plasco Disaster.”
CoP insists there are better waste management solutions, citing the global trend of embracing Zero Waste policies for a more environmentally friendly and job-generating circular economy. With 300 defeated incinerator proposals worldwide, CoP believes Pontiac can follow suit in rejecting the plan.
(Written by: Emma Butler)