Jones’s aggregate bill gaining momentum as Legislature opens

September 11, 2013 · 0 Comments

With the Ontario Legislature set to return this week, Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones has said her Bill 56, the Aggregate Recycling Promotion Act, continues to gain momentum.
The bill has received the endorsement of Carl Cosack, chair of the North Dufferin Agriculture and Community Taskforce.
“During the ARA (Aggregate Resources Act) review hearings, it became clear that recycling is one important part of the solution to lessen demand of Ontario’s virgin aggregate resources,” Cosack said. “Most presentations, be it from industry or community groups, stressed the need for effective recycling programs. Sylvia Jones’s Bill 56 is a nonpartisan way to promote this issue, clearly addressing both the provincial, and public, interest. As Chair of the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce, I fully support Bill 56.”
“I thank Carl for his support and his dedication to this important issue,” Jones responded. “Over the last few months, support for Bill 56 has continued to pick up significantly, from all sides of this issue. There is a real consensus building that now is the time for Ontario to really start promoting the use of recycling aggregate.”
If enacted, Bill 56 would allow contractors to use recycled aggregate when bidding on construction projects paid for with public money. Jones has maintained the legislation would be an effective measure to encourage aggregate recycling in Ontario by eliminating barriers to recycled aggregates being considering for use in public sector construction across the province.
Jones also highlighted the strong support she has received from Aggregate Recycling Ontario (ARO), an organization dedicated to increasing the use of recycled aggregate across Ontario.
“ARO recognizes that when we have approximately three million tonnes of recyclable aggregate sitting in stockpiles across Ontario, it is essential to take advantage of the many benefits of this undervalued resource.”
ARO Chair Ed Persico reiterated ARO’s support for Bill 56.
“We commend Sylvia Jones for introducing the Aggregate Recycling Promotion Act,” he said. “This bill recognizes the economic and environmental benefits of better managing this undervalued resource. It is our sincere hope that all parties will support and expedite approval of Bill 56 as soon as possible, and get it passed into law.”