The mayor of the Township of Warwick has been closely monitoring Bill 5 developments as they unfold.
The Ford government passed the controversial bill -- dubbed the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act -- at Queen's Park on Wednesday.
The legislation gives the province the power to suspend provincial and municipal laws and remove some environmental protections for selected projects in areas deemed to have economic importance.
Todd Case told Sarnia News Today he questioned the bill's impact on the Twin Creeks Landfill expansion with members of the provincial government.
"Yes, I do have some concerns with Bill 5," said Case. "How it affects our situation in Warwick with the Twin Creeks Landfill... I've been told it will not. I've talked to the Minister of Environment a couple of weeks ago in Toronto, but at the same time we pay very close attention to what it says and the powers that are given within that bill and we'll continue to pay close attention to moving forward."
Vertical and horizontal expansions are being explored to extend the life of the Watford landfill by about 12 years to 2043.
Case said the municipality is about 85 per cent through the environmental assessment (EA) process at Twin Creeks.
"We've been assured by the minister himself that the EA process will still continue. It will be a complete process. Taking the time that is needed to do it properly, so every Warwick Township individual has an opportunity to voice their opinion on it," Case said.
That being said, mayor Case said he's a realist.
"We really do have to pay attention to what Bill 5 states and the powers given to the government," he said. "So, we'll continue to watch it very closely. We'll continue to work with our MPP Steve Pinsonneault on this, and go through that whole process very, very carefully."
Neither Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault nor Premier Doug Ford were present for the vote on Bill 5 in the legislative assembly.
Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (C.A.R.E.D.) told CK News Today it was a sad day for all of Ontario because Bill 5 breaches the treaties with First Nations people, guts environmental protection, and "turned democracy into a dictatorship."
"I feel for the people down in Chatham-Kent and the Dresden area. I actually was down to the public meeting that they had, just to be able to hear what the folks were saying. It brought back terrible memories from when we went through this whole thing back in the day," Case said. "We very much believe in the EA process where there is public consultation, consultations with the municipality and First Nations community. I've made it very well known that we believe in that process and I think it's wrong to shortcut that process."
Legal action and protests are expected as a result of Bill 5 passing.
"What Bill 5 states, is it does give the opportunity to set up these special economic zones and we don't know what those zones will probably be and how that may affect parts of Lambton County," said Case.
Case said people are counting on their political representatives to pay attention and do their diligence right now.
"So, we're really going to have to pay attention. Watch closely as a county council, as well as here in Warwick Township," he added. "So, again, we're going to have to wait and see where some of these economic zones are going to be created. Like I say... right now every politician in Ontario, if not they should be paying very close attention to what this whole Bill 5 thing could mean for them and their community."