Municipalities Lead the Way on Gravel Mining Reform

While the province fails to protect the public from the harms of gravel mining, municipalities are stepping up to modernize aggregate policies and safeguard residents' health and safety. A standout example is the Town of Caledon, which has worked hand in hand with RGMC member the Forks of the Credit Preservation Group to reform its aggregate policies and reduce the negative impact of new quarry applications. Read on to learn about this success story and get practical tools to bring this strategy to your community!

A Landmark Win for Gravel Mining Reform

On March 14, 2025, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) delivered a precedent-setting victory for the movement to reform gravel mining. The Tribunal dismissed an appeal by multinational mining giant Votorantim/CBM, instead siding with residents and upholding the process used by the Town of Caledon to modernize its gravel mining policies.

What Did the Tribunal Decide?

In 2022, the Town of Caledon paused new gravel mining approvals in a specified area for one one year, in order to review and update its outdated aggregate policies. This was done using a regulatory tool called an Interim Control By-Law (ICBL). In 2023, the Town extended this the pause for another year, before approving updated policies in 2024. The Tribunal:

• Dismissed CBM’s Appeal, rejecting the company’s argument that extending the ICBL to pause new aggregate approvals for a second year was inappropriate and detrimental to the economy of the province and the GTA.
• Upheld Caledon’s Process, affirming the Town used a sound and defensible approach to updating its aggregate policies.

Why Does This Decision Matter?

The ruling sets a precedent for municipalities across Ontario by recognizing key points, including:

• No need for new gravel mining – For the first time, the Tribunal validated that there is no need for new gravel mining, since there is already an ample supply.
• Public interest in updating aggregate policies – The Tribunal affirmed that it is in the public interest for municipalities to modernize aggregate policies.
• Climate change requires modernized policies – The Tribunal stated that “changes in environmental regulations, public health knowledge, and climate change considerations require modernized policies.”
• Municipalities can balance extraction with community protection – Caledon’s reforms were upheld as an appropriate effort to “balance extraction with community and ecological interests” and “preserve its unique character while managing aggregate resources responsibly.”

How Can This Decision Support Your Advocacy?

You can use the Tribunal’s decision to advocate with your municipality to modernize its aggregate policies.