The OMB hearing on the Westhill Development has been delayed for at least six months due to an appeal process initiated by Rod Northey, a lawyer who has been representing four families in Aurora whose properties would be negatively impacted by this development.

A consolidated hearing would be a tremendous asset to the case, as it would require a panel consisting of people with more environmental expertise than a standard OMB proceeding.  This is vital for a case with such significant environmental and hydrological implications.  The motion for a consolidated hearing was rejected in the middle of March, but Mr. Northey recently appealed to the court for its failure to require a consolidated hearing, and the Board has decided to adjourn the hearing pending the resolution of the court case.  This means that the earliest the hearing will commence is October.

This gives Earthroots more time to increase public awareness, raise media attention, and put pressure on the provincial government to get involved.  Earthroots and Ecojustice are in the final stages of a compiling a report that highlights the fact that the Ministry of Environment is not evaluating the cumulative impacts of water takings on the Oak Ridges Moraine.  The report focuses on golf courses in the Aurora/Newmarket area, with information obtained through freedom of information requests.  Our research indicates that the Ministry generally grants permits to take water with relative ease.  There is essentially a voluntary system that is in place now - golf courses are currently self-monitoring their practices and are not being held to any strict guidelines.  There are no requirements for submitting annual reports that detail the impacts of groundwater takings and course maintenance.

We are calling upon the provincial government to place a moratorium on golf courses in the Greenbelt.

For background information about the Westhill Development in Aurora, please click here. 

For more information please contact Josh Garfinkel at 416-599-0152 x15 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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