Editorials - Jan. 19, 2024

On Dec. 6, the Auditor General released a value-for-money audit of the Ontario aggregate industry, resulting in an early Christmas present for the Friends of Ball’s Bridge and Little Lakes (FOBBLL). The scathing audit outlines an industry that is largely unmonitored, resulting in widespread violations. The Auditor General’s report outlines its key findings that a lack of experienced inspectors means that operations are rarely visited and self-regulation for the industry is not working, with many operators not even bothering to submit annual reports. 

 

Even worse, there appears to be a significant oversupply of aggregates. The public may have been disregarding the damage to the environment that the pits cause because we have been led to believe that all of that sand and gravel is vital for construction and roads, especially during a housing crisis, but the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the department charged with administering the Aggregates Resource Act, was unable to provide supply-and-demand statistics to the Auditor General. In fact, there could be up to 30 times the amount of aggregates required already licensed in the province.

 

FOBBLL has been fighting against the Lobo Sand & Gravel application for a below-water level aggregate mine on Little Lakes Road for several years on the basis that the area is an environmentally-sensitive and unique ecosystem. Armed with this report, and a MNRF request for more Indigenous consultation on this application, the group is calling for an immediate hold on all new gravel mining applications.

 

The Auditor General’s report recognizes the fact that gravel mining “alters or destroys woodlands, grasslands, wetlands or farmland” and “poses a risk to local groundwater resources”. With a possible oversupply already in place, why disturb any more ecosystems than necessary? A moratorium on new licences only makes sense, until more information is available and proper oversight is in place. – DS

Last Saturday, a few dozen pro-Palestine protestors set up shop in front of the home of Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly in Montreal as part of a demonstration. One day earlier, in Chicago, the NBA’s Bulls held a Ring of Honor ceremony. Among those honoured was the late Jerry Krause, who shepherded the team to its six league titles in the era of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. 

 

What a joyous occasion it was... for everyone but Thelma Krause, Jerry’s widow, who began sobbing as fans booed Krause. 

Krause’s relationship with Chicago sports is complicated, sure, but that was neither the time nor the place for such a cruel demonstration.

 

Didn’t think the two were connected, did you? Well, they are now.

 

Sometimes we all need to take that ever-important step back from the cliff of emotion and maintain decorum.  We’re living in the Donald Trump, F—k Your Feelings flag era and, by God, is it ever showing.

 

The era of caring for one another, respecting privacy, leaving some lines uncrossed, leaving homes and families out of it and following the most golden of rules is dead. Some love the chaos - others feel lost.

 

Yes, the world is a challenging, horrific place right now, but let’s urge our friends and neighbours who take it a little too far to ease their foot off the gas. This unnecessary cruelty is inhuman and, while meaningful discourse and the ability to disagree are important, like the aforementioned Rodman precisely and scientifically positioning himself for a rebound, there is a right time and right place. – SL 

Last week, there was a collision between a semi-truck and a horse and buggy near Wingham, leaving the horse and buggy in one ditch, and the truck nose-down in another. It could have been much worse - in December, a similar incident in Milverton resulted in the death of a child. 

 

The increase of buggy-related accidents has the OPP reminding citizens of the rules of the road. Many motorists erroneously assume that buggies are relegated to travel on the shoulder, when they are, in fact, considered to be road vehicles and should be treated as such. When passing a buggy, the same rules apply as when passing a motor vehicle. A motorist who chooses to travel unnecessarily close to a buggy or who passes too quickly can end up startling horses, who may respond unpredictably by running into oncoming traffic. A motorist who incites a horse to cause a dangerous situation on the road is liable as a result. 

It can be particularly perilous for buggies travelling at night. Reflective decals can increase the visibility of the diminutive vehicles, but some communities are considering the addition of LED lights in an attempt to further protect themselves.

 

The Amish and Mennonite communities of Huron County have chosen to live lives that include using horses and buggies for transportation. The choices a motorist makes while sharing the road can end those lives in an instant. Make the right choice - respect the rules of the road, and all the local families that use them. – SBS