Strang Appointed Green Critic in Two Key Areas for Dufferin-Caledon
2 August 2011
Orangeville, Ontario — The Green Party of Ontario announces the appointment of Rob Strang (Dufferin-Caledon) as the critic for the Environment and Natural Resources.
“With the proposal for the Melancthon Mega Quarry in Dufferin-Caledon and the McCormick quarry in Caledon, Rob will look at the portfolios of Environment and Natural Resources with a critical eye, aware of the local repercussions of decisions made by these ministries,” said Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner.
This Fall will be Strang’s second time as the Green Party of Ontario candidate for Dufferin-Caledon. As the candidate in 2007, he earned 16% of the popular vote, third highest of any Green Party candidate in Ontario. This past Spring he was also elected by fellow party members as the Deputy Leader of the Party.
Locally, Strang is best known for his work as a councillor in the Town of Orangeville. Rob was elected in 2003 and proved himself as an outspoken advocate of protecting the Town’s employment land, dedicating parkland reserve funds for land purchases to enhance the Town’s trail system and revitalizing the Town’s Transit system. For three years, he also wrote a popular political column for a local newspaper.
“I am thrilled to take on these two critical portfolios,” said Strang. “Our riding has become acutely aware of the problems with the way the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment review projects like the Highlands quarry in Melancthon.”
Despite the size and impact of this massive quarry, current legislation does not require an Environmental Assessment. Instead, it is subject to approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources through the less rigorous Aggregate Resources Act.
“As the Green Party critic for these two ministries I fully intend to make these issues part of the provincial campaign,” added Strang, an engineer with extensive industrial experience. “Clearly, an environmental assessment should be required for any pit or quarry that goes below the water table. One has to wonder why the laws of the land put the interests of a Boston hedge fund ahead of the citizens of Ontario.”
Recent polling indicates that the Orangeville resident could very well be representing the riding at Queen’s Park after the October 6th provincial election. In a Winning Research poll of residents released last month Rob Strang received 29% support, second only to the incumbent MPP.
“I am motivated by the hard work and dedication of my fellow residents,” added Strang. “They are fighting for their farmland, their water and their rights to a healthy future.”
It’s time to preserve our water supply, protect our farmland and respect the decision making of local government.
For more information on Rob Strang please visit: www.robstrang.ca
For more information on the Green Party of Ontario’s 5 Point Plan for Ontario please visit: www.itstimeforgreen.ca
Contact: Rob Strang 519-941-9013
(Source: gpo.ca)
