Avaaz Petition to Stop Massive Water Poisoning in Ontario

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_quarry/?cl=1151300608&v=9556

Here’s the original text from Avaaz:

An American hedge fund is about to break ground on a massive mining project that could poison a million people’s drinking water and the headwaters for five major rivers. They want to create an open pit deeper than Niagara Falls and decimate thousands of acres of lush farmland — and we have 4 days to stop them.

For years, Highland Companies deceived Ontario residents, posing as a potato farming company and quietly buying up thousands of acres of land from local farmers. Then, it was suddenly revealed that the massive plot of farmland would be converted into a limestone quarry — a 2300 acre pit so deep it would seriously interfere with the ground water system in the region. But, in order to start digging, Highland must win approval from Minister of Natural Resources Linda Jeffrey.

Jeffrey is taking 4 more days to consider public opinion on this quarry before making her decision. We can deliver an overwhelming wave of opposition to Highland’s destructive plan. Sign the petition, forward it to everyone and it will be submitted to Jeffrey before the consultation period ends.

Highland’s mega-quarry is smack dab in the middle of farmland the whole country depends on for food production. If built, it could poison clean ground water that feeds the lakes and rivers many Canadians use for drinking water. The quarry would require over seven thousand trucks to transport limestone each and every day, upping carbon emissions and requiring new roads to handle the exploding traffic — further destroying the natural habitat of hundreds of species of animals. The city-sized pit would scar the land long after the mining was finished.

But, residents and environmental activists are working hard to oppose the quarry’s license — even the Environment Minister has called for further assessments. Ontario’s Liberal government faces a tough re-election fight in October and Liberal Minister Linda Jeffrey is concerned about public opinion in these key months before votes are cast. A national call will put pressure on Jeffrey and her party to stand up for Canada’s environment, its farmers and the fresh water many Canadians depend on for survival.

Let’s bring the voice of all Canadians to Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and force her to kill Highland’s plan for environmental destruction. Sign the petition and then forward widely.