At a recent Council meeting, Mr. Tim Leitch stated that no environmental assessment was required for the new Administration Centre project, claiming that a brief, voluntary report by Azimuth Environmental from nearly a year ago was sufficient. This assertion is deeply troubling.
Significant activities have already occurred — including the clear-cutting of a large, older-growth forest on the 9th Concession during owl breeding season, and the construction of a road adjacent to a public well on the same public land — without evidence of any environmental assessment or public consultation.
As required under the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) and enforced by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), Tiny Township has a legal duty to conduct meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities before undertaking projects on public land. This duty includes:
Notifying affected First Nation and Métis leadership;
Providing access to project documentation;
Offering opportunities for input through public meetings; and
Maintaining a record of consultation as part of the assessment process.
Given the apparent lack of compliance with these obligations, and the potential environmental and cultural impacts involved, I formally request that this project be immediately paused pending completion of a proper environmental assessment and full consultation in accordance with provincial law.
Paul D. Bell, Ph.D., Forest Entomologist