[getsmart-l] the British system, where an aggregate levy of almost $4 per tonne versus the 11.5 cents per tonne hauled in Ontario)

[John O'Gorman]

Here is a story on the almost unstoppable advance of the aggregate industry  - cherry-picking the easy, cheaper gravel from the agricultural land (same as the land speculators use agricultural land to build their suburbs on) instead of looking to recycling. Alex Murray is a member of the Toronto Food Policy Council and Michael Stadtlander is the renowned chef and host at his home and restaurant of Eigensinn.

The aggregate industry is charging forward with provincial blessings even as is the OMB - no political will to limit either!!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080301.GRAVEL01/TPStory//?pageRequested=3

the long battle

The lack of foresight of the provincial government's aggregate program stuns people such as Alex Murray, who resides on the boards of both the Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE) and the Grey Association for Better Planning. "The biggest point about this situation is, 'How many pits are needed in any one area?' It's an appropriate question to ask, not a foolish anti-market sentiment. With the case of the 10th Concession pit proposal, there are clearly profitable alternative land uses for that area that are not being considered, like culinary or agrotourism, or," he half-jokes, "a world-renowned restaurant."

"The Ministry of Tourism is using me and I have no problem with that, I feel honoured," says Mr. Stadtlander, referring to his name being lent to various promotions. "[And] the people who come here from all over would not be very pleased with all the dust and noise from all of these big gravel trucks."


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