The City of Ottawa’s communications department sent this memo from City solicitor Rick O’Connor to media outlets today.
Today was the deadline to request an appeal to the Ministry of Environment’s decision to allow Waste Management to accept Quebec garbage at the Carp Road landfill facility. The City of Ottawa, along with seven residents and community groups, each submitted a request for leave to appeal the decision. Now it’s in the hands of the Environmental Review Tribunal to decide if an appeal can go forward.
O’Connor also shared a letter the City received from Waste Management, who runs the landfill facility, where they state that they are “taking steps to review its position”. A copy of the letter is included below.
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Mayor Watson and Members of Council,
Further to my memo of March 16th, 2017 regarding the City’s appeal in respect of Waste Management’s amended Environmental Compliance Approval permitting an expanded service area to Western Quebec, I can confirm that the City filed its application for leave to appeal material with the Environmental Review Tribunal earlier today.
In addition, I can advise that the City served a copy of its application materials with the solicitor for Waste Management Canada. In response, he provided Legal Services with a letter stating as follows:
We have received a copy of the City of Ottawa’s application for leave to appeal the March 1, 2017 decision to amend Environmental Compliance Approval A461002, issued November 13, 2015, which expands the service area for the West Carleton Environmental Centre to Western Quebec. We also note that the City, through its lawyers, has raised its concerns to Waste Management surrounding the amended ECA during discussions had this week. As a result of our discussions with the City, and in light of the City preserving its appeal rights, I can confirm that Waste Management is taking steps to review its position on the amended ECA, and anticipates providing further information to the City as to its position and its next steps in the near future.
A copy of the letter in question is attached for your convenience.
In the interim, my Office will seek to provide updates on the Environmental Review Tribunal leave to appeal process and any further information as to Waste Management’s position on the matter as they develop.
I trust that the above-noted update is satisfactory.
M. Rick O’Connor, CMO
Certified Specialist (Municipal Law: Local Government) | Spécialiste agréé (Loi sur les municipalités: gouvernement local)
City Clerk and Solicitor | Greffier municipal et avocat général
City of Ottawa | Ville d’Ottawa