b'MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AVENUESAvenues is published forThe importance The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 103 of telling our story Mississauga, ON L4W 4W2 Tel: 905-507-0711 www.GravelFacts.caT here are many reasons why 2022 will go down as a very eventful yearnotPublisher Robert Thompsononly for Ontario but for the world. We emergedseeminglyfrom a global pandemic. The first war in Europe in 80 years kicked off a global slowdownOSSGA Editor andbroughtbackinflationandhigherprices.Andathome,politicalCarly Holmsteadcontroversy over the use of the Emergencies Act and the notwithstandingEditor clause continues to make headlines.Roma IhnatowyczGroups opposed to development of all kinds demonstrated increasingly stridentNational Sales Executives and contentious tactics, while companies across all sectors, including aggregateDawn Stokes, Derek de Weerdt,producers, continued to face supply chain challenges that disrupted operations andBrenda Ezinicki, Bill Biber, April HawkesAvenues is printed on 10% post-consumer FSC certified paper using soya based inks. When necessary to mail an issue in an enclosure, we use an environmentally-friendly, 100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap.jeopardized their ability to fulfil contract commitments.Design Specialist Marisa GiesbrechtFor these and other reasons, all was not well! And it looks like 2023 will probablyJunior Design Specialist see more of the same. Bethany GiesbrechtI see two opposing trends for our industry as we begin the new year. First, theAVENUES is published for thegoodnews.ThelatestversionoftheFordgovernmenthasfinallyrecognizedOntario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association by: the importance of aggregate in meeting the housing and overall infrastructure challenge that we face with adding two million-plus residents to our province in the next decade and a half. 33 South Station Street Hence the torrid pace of new legislation and regulations aimed at reducing theToronto, ON M9N 2B2 red tape that has made it harder to produce close-to-market aggregate and build1-866-480-4717 roads,condos,schoolsandanythingelseagrowingpopulationwillneed.TheEmail: robertt@mediaedge.cachanges we hope to see are in the process of being rolled out, so the signs coming out of Queens Park thus far are encouraging. 531 Marion Street Winnipeg, MB R2J 0J9 At the same time, however, those who do not share our vision of the future1-866-201-3096 are becoming better organized and more focused on coming up with new ideasFax: (204) 480-4420 and new tactics in order to disrupt industry operations. There is an old saying:www.mediaedgepublishing.comWise is the government; wiser are the people. Despite the Ford governmentsPresident attemptsthrough Bill 23 and other regulatory changesto remove some of theKevin Brownobstacles to development, opposing groups are finding end-arounds to overcome those obstacles.Senior Vice President These are not just folks in the NIMBY groups. They are also councillors, reevesRobert Thompsonand mayors who are taking actions that expose the unintended consequences ofDirector, Business Development what was previously thought to be worthwhile legislation. Michael BellOur industry is reminded to remain vigilant with legal and policy issues whileBranch Manager alsopromotingtheneedforclose-to-marketaggregateandachievingthiswithNancie Privenvironmentally sustainable industry practices and rehabilitation. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole In this edition of Avenues, we present several examples showing how, over the pastor in part, without the prior written consent of the year or so, OSSGA has met the challenges coming from opposing groups. Whileassociation.they continue to challenge the validity of our industry, we remain steadfast in our commitment to telling our story.Published February 2023 PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40787580Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy this edition of Avenues.Please return undeliverable items to:The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel AssociationNorman Cheesman, Executive Director, OSSGA 5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 1036 AVENUESWINTER 2023 Mississauga, ONL4W 4W2'