Caledon commits $20,000 toward hiring executive director for TAPMO

March 21, 2024 · 0 Comments

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon, one of the Province’s top aggregate producing municipalities, is supporting advocacy efforts through a recent Council motion.

Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario (TAPMO), an organization representing aggregate-rich municipalities, is seeking funding from various municipalities so it can hire an executive director, which it does not currently have.

TAPMO’s board of directors is composed of mayors and councillors from Ontario’s aggregate-rich municipalities.

TAPMO Board Chair James Seeley, who is the Mayor of the Township of Puslinch, recently sent out a letter where he explained why TAPMO wants to hire an executive director.

“The aggregate industry in Ontario falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the provincial

government. Municipalities are not having their concerns addressed; in fact, almost every piece

of proposed legislation that reaches the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), has changes

in favour of the aggregate industry. This is a direct result of lobbying efforts by their association

(the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association),” wrote Seeley. “Municipalities need a familiar face at Queen’s Park expressing our concerns as the changes lobbied by the aggregate industry are being considered.”

The executive director of TAPMO would be this familiar face. Seeley said since TAPMO Board Members all have to run their own municipalities, they don’t have the amount of time needed to properly address aggregate concerns.

Seeley specifically mentioned concerns raised in a report from the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario on oversight of the aggregate industry.

“With the number of recommendations identified in the report, it is not feasible for the Executive Committee to respond to all the concerns raised in this report to the fullest and affect change in favour of municipalities,” wrote Seeley.

The report touched on issues like a distinct lack of inspection and enforcement of the rules that must be followed at pits and quarries in Ontario.

At Caledon Council’s March 5 General Committee meeting, Ward 1 Councillor Lynn Kiernan shared her support for Seeley’s request.

“We need this dedicated person,” she said. “I’m excited they want to do this.”