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Province hits pause button on Upper York Sewage Solution

June 6, 2021

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By Mike Anderson

The province officially hit the pause button on the Upper York Sewage Solutions (UYSS) project last week, introducing new legislation – the York Wastewater Act – that will put York Region’s Environmental Assessment (EA) application on hold until a panel of experts can review options to address the Region’s wastewater needs.

The $715-million UYSS project, a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant to be built in Queensville, would handle wastewater servicing for future growth in Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Newmarket, potentially discharging up to 40 million litres of treated wastewater daily into the East Holland River, which flows directly into Lake Simcoe.

The move follows an earlier announcement that the province was considering alternatives to the UYSS, including sending upper York’s future wastewater south, through the “Big Pipe” to the Duffins Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in Pickering, to be treated and discharged into Lake Ontario — which was the original plan before the previous Liberal government instructed York Region to find a “Lake Simcoe” solution to its wastewater servicing.

“Protecting Ontario’s water resources, now and in the future, is a top priority for our government – but any changes to that system need to be based on the most current and accurate information,” said Environment Minister Jeff Yurek.

“That is why the province is proposing legislation that would put a hold on the current application from York Region to expand its sewage servicing capacity using infrastructure going to Lake Simcoe. The proposed legislation would also establish an Expert Advisory Panel to provide the province with recommendations on a path forward.

Although we recognize the need to improve infrastructure for the rapidly growing York and Durham Regions, many years have passed since the assessment of this project began. In that time, it became clear that more information from technical and other experts is needed to better understand the changing environmental, social and financial implications of this proposal.”

According to Minister Yurek, the expert advisory panel, which is yet to be appointed by the Ford government, will “provide information and advice to the government concerning all potential options to provide additional wastewater capacity to accommodate anticipated future growth in both Regions.”

The panel, made up of experts from various fields like land use planning and wastewater infrastructure, will consult with key stakeholders and “meaningfully” engage with Indigenous communities.

“We will continue to work closely with York and Durham Regions, municipalities and Indigenous communities to plan and implement this important work while protecting our vital water resources,” Minister Yurek said.

However, York Region is not happy with Minister Yurek’s plan to have experts review the UYSS project, which it considers the “best alternative” to service future growth.

“The Regional Municipality of York is extremely disappointed with the Ontario Government’s proposed legislation. If enacted, the Act would put a hold on any decision on the UYSS EA application, “said Mike Rabeau, York Region’s Director of Capital Planning and Delivery.

“This is the most expensive EA in the Region’s history, reflecting the significant level of review, technical and environmental work and consultation completed,” he said.

Mr. Rabeau says the Region has already spent more than $100 million on the UYSS – $25 million on the EA alone — without breaking ground on the project.

“Continuous delays approving this project has put the Region’s mandate under the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe in jeopardy,” he said.

“Local municipal growth requires water and wastewater servicing; continued delays in approval of the UYSS EA is disrupting planned employment and residential growth within Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Newmarket.”

Still, Minister Yurek’s plan to re-start consultations is being applauded by those who oppose the UYSS, particularly Regional Councillor Rob Grossi, who actively campaigned against the project during the last municipal election.

“I am the only Regionally elected official who has questioned this proposed facility from its beginnings,” Mr. Grossi said in a statement emailed to The Post.

“I welcome this review. The expert panel should take as much time as needed to examine all issues and options. East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and Aurora deserve an answer and a solution to their current issues and future needs. But I have always believed that Lake Simcoe isn’t the solution.”

“I think everything is up in the air, and the expert panel should be able to look at the effects of other proposals, including Orbit, a 150,000 person development in Innisfil, initially approved by a Ministers Zoning Order, bypassing all planning processes that keep in check Lake Simcoe capacity.”

The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation (CGIFN), currently under a boil water advisory, has also actively opposed the UYSS, arguing that the plant could discharge unacceptable levels of pharmaceuticals, micro-plastics and personal care products into the Lake, which is a source of drinking water for some community members.

The Post reached out to CGIFN for comment, but a spokesperson said that the province’s new legislation would have to be reviewed by the Band Council before an official response was made public.