Dump "Site 41", join Swim Drink Fish Music on Wolfe Island instead

Dump Site 41

It's likely that you've heard of Site 41.  Officially known as the North Simcoe Landfill, Site 41 will take waste from four communities in the Georgian Bay area.  Local residents and environmental groups believe the landfill threatens the remarkably pure waters of the Alliston Aquifer.  And so it has become one of the most controversial projects in Ontario today.

Site 41 bears all the hallmarks of a historic battle between community residents, environmentalists, and decision-makers.  Members of the Beausoleil First Nation held vigil at the site for over a month.  Last week, a judge issued an interim injunction to prevent demonstrators from blocking access to the site.  This week, Maude Barlow and the Council of Canadians will seek an injunction to stop contruction at the site; they say Simcoe County Council has yet to complete the proper permitting process.

On July 25, more than 2000 people, including Georgian Baykeeper Mary Muter, gathered near the landfill site.  The "Rally for a Moratorium" was intended to generate support for a halt to the construction.

Listen to Living at the Barricades.

Leading up the rally, Living at the Barricades caught up with Mark Calzavara of The Council of Canadians, and Ray Millar, a resident of Tiny Township.  We wanted to learn more about Site 41, and to ask the question "Why has this become one of the biggest issues in Ontario?"

Music on this weeks show:

Trash - New York Dolls

My heart is a piece of garbage. Fight Seagulls! Fight! - Rae Spoon

We live in a Dump - They Might Be Giants