Mr Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I rise in the House today to talk about the protection in my riding of our most precious resource -- water. Since 1978, concerns have continued to be raised about a proposed landfill at site 41 in the township of Tiny. Site 41 lies in the middle of a rich agricultural area, just a few feet above two aquifers. Like many of my constituents, I am greatly concerned about the development of site 41 as a landfill. It could result in groundwater contamination.

I understand the Environmental Assessment Board, in 1989, turned down site 41, but the following year the Liberal government of the day reversed this decision by order in council. Because minister's approval was granted on February 2, 1995, when the NDP government was in power, final approval for this site now lies with the ministry staff at the director level. However, on November 14, I was excited to hear Environment Minister Dombrowsky announce the creation of two expert advisory committees on protecting water sources. Just yesterday Minister Dombrowsky stood up in this House and promised legislation, and I quote from Hansard, "to ensure that our water source is protected."

In light of these actions, I fully expect Minister Dombrowsky to place a moratorium on the development of site 41 until the new advisory committees have reported back to government and the new legislation is actually passed. If, and before, it is developed, my constituents and I will accept nothing less than a 100% assurance from the minister and the ministry that there will never be any groundwater contamination at site 41.