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Province calls on residents to weigh-in on aggregate industry

Minister Yakabuski says the province will use the equivalent of 125 million tandem truckloads of aggregate over the next 25 years and the government wants to plan for it

The provincial government wants to leave no stone unturned.

Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski was in Barrie yesterday to talk about the province's plan to improve the way aggregate resources are managed. And they say they'd like a little help from the public, too. 

Ontario’s aggregate resources are the sand, gravel, clay, earth and bedrock that make up the natural landscape.

Yakabuski said the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has estimated the province will use the equivalent of 125 million tandem truckloads of aggregate over the next 25 years.

During a Barrie Chamber of Commerce event Friday morning at the Barrie and District and Association of Realtors headquarters on Veterans Drive, Yakabuski said that with the numbers so high, the provincial government plans to act now.

“There are roughly 14 million people living in the province, making that nine loads for every person living in Ontario today,” he said, adding the Progressive Conservative government wants to support growth while also "maintaining a steadfast commitment to protecting the environment.”

In 2017, Ontario's aggregate industry generated more than $1.6 billion in production revenue and included more than 28,000 jobs in related sectors, Yakabuski said.

An aggregate summit in March looked how to reduce administrative duplication and delays, the minister said, adding the province is also looking for feedback from residents.

“We want people to comment on the proposal on the registry. It will up for 45 days,” Yakabuski said. “People will have the opportunity to make their views known.” 

To view the aggregate reform proposal and to leave feedback, click here.