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Mississaugas of the Credit support city annexation of Dolime Quarry lands

'We look forward to being kept apprised and engaged on the Dolime Quarry project,' says Chief Stacey Laforme
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The view of Dolime from the a small aircraft. Rob O'Flanagan/GuelphToday file photo

Efforts to bring the Dolime Quarry lands within Guelph’s municipal border have the support of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). 

Chief Stacey Laforme recently wrote to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, urging him to approve an annexation request set to be formalized on Monday.

“This proposed annexation will enable the city to take control over the Dolime Quarry’s water management, ensuring the safe protection of the city’s drinking water supply for decades to come,” Laforme’s letter states, referring to city plans to install an on-site water management system – part of a negotiated agreement with quarry owner River Valley Developments. 

“My understanding is that this proposed annexation is part of a more comprehensive settlement pathway to solve water quality and quantity concerns initially raised by the city over a decade ago.”

Laforme’s letter was publicly released on Friday afternoon, ahead of Monday’s anticipated council ratification of a previous committee motion asking the province to issue a Municipal Zoning Order (MZO) to shift the municipal boundary to include the quarry lands, which officially sit in Guelph/Eramosa Township.

Dolime Quarry is about 230 acres in size, located between Wellington Street West and College Avenue on the west side of Hanlon Expressway.

The annexation plan was recently endorsed by the township council, as well as Wellington County council, though the final decision rests in the hands of the provincial Minister, Steve Clark.

The City of Guelph has long held concerns regarding the impact of quarry operations on the municipal water supply – testing done in the 1990s shows the quarry and city draw from the same source.

If annexation is approved, the city would take control of the quarry’s water supply and build an on-site water management system, potentially freeing up 11 million litres per day currently used in quarry operations, explains a post on the city’s website.

An MZO would also rezone the property to allow for a mixed-use residential subdivision, which is also part of an agreement reached last year between the quarry owner and the city. As part of that agreement, quarry operations would cease.

“MCFN has indicated our interest in being engaged on future discussions regarding this residential development, and we have asked the city to keep us informed on all further developments related to the Dolime Quarry lands moving forward,” states Laforme’s letter, which was written on behalf of MCFN and its council.

“We look forward to being kept apprised and engaged on the Dolime Quarry project.”


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Richard Vivian

About the Author: Richard Vivian

Richard Vivian is an award-winning journalist and longtime Guelph resident. He joined the GuelphToday team as assistant editor in 2020, largely covering municipal matters and general assignment duties
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