b"AUDITOR GENERALS REPORTSUPPLY AND DEMAND OFRECYCLED AGGREGATESOUTDATED POLICIES AND AGGREGATESAll recovered aggregate material shouldPROCESSES Another key finding of the Auditor Generalsbe reused as recycled aggregate whereverAs the Auditor Generals report points reportisthelackofaccuratesupplyandpossible, so OSSGA was glad to see theout,justover25percentofactive demanddata,whichleadscommunityreport outline one of the biggest barrierslicences and permits have been scanned groups and stakeholders to conclude there isanoversupplyofaggregatesapprovedto using recycled aggregatethe factand digitized. As a whole, the Aggregates forextraction.thatmunicipalpoliciesoftenprohibitPolicy and Procedures Manual has not orseverelylimittheuseofrecycledbeen updated in 20 years and most of OSSGAsupportsaccuratesupplydata,aggregate in constructionprojects.the databases used in the Ministry are and the Association had already expressednot integrated. concerns with the 2016 supply and demandUnfortunately, the MNRF has made study referenced in the report. Knowing thelittleprogressinencouragingtheOSSGA was not surprised to read in total quantity of material in a licensed siterecyclingofaggregatematerial.Athereportthatoutdatedinformation or in reserves across the province does not provide an accurate supply estimateunlesssignificant barrier has been the lengthysystems make it difficult for MNRF staff the quality of materials is also taken intoand cumbersome approval process forandapplicantstotracksubmissions, consideration. This information was omittedproducers looking to recycle aggregate,orthatoutdatedpolicieshavecaused in the 2016 supply and demand study. but this was not included in the Auditorconfusionanddelaysintheapproval As such, OSSGA was pleased to see theGenerals report. If the MNRF is lookingprocess. On more than one occasion, we Auditor Generals report recognize that thetoreducebarriers,theywillneedtohave heard from our members about lost 2016 study was inappropriately interpretedworkwithmunicipalitiestonotonlyCompliance Assessment Reports (CAR) by different groupssuch as the Reformuse more recycled material in municipalafter their submission to the MNRF. Gravel Mining Coalition which claimed thereprojects but to also make it easier for was an oversupply of aggregate reserves.sites to import recycled material. Mostofourmembershave experiencedchallengesrelatedto Asstatedinthereport,highqualityoutdatedMNRFdatabasesandpolices aggregateisneededforproductslikeIn2023,theMinistryestablisheda concreteandasphalt,andthequalityofmulti-stakeholderworkinggrouptoovertheyears.OSSGAhasworked materialdirectlyinfluencesthestructuralremovesuchbarriers.Asamemberdiligently with the Ministry to provide integrityandlongevityofinfrastructureofthisworkinggroup,OSSGAlooksrecommendationsonhowthepolicy projects. It is in the MNRFs best interestforward to supporting the Ministry inmanual can be updated to better serve tocommunicatetothepublichowusingremoving barriers, and also in educatingthe industry and the MNRF as they issue high-qualitymaterialreducestheneedaggregate approvals. formaintenanceandreplacementofthepublicandstakeholdersonthe infrastructure.benefits of recycling aggregates. OSSGA members have also met with technicalstafftoprovidefeedbackon how the Natural Resources Information Portal (NRIP) can meet industry needs bymakingiteasiertosubmitCAR reportsvirtuallyandsubmitandview application details. WehopetheMinistrycontinuesto prioritizeupdatingthepolicymanual and integrating approval and compliance information into the NRIP. SUNROCK CANADA BUILDING MATERIALS In conclusion, the Auditor Generals reporthighlightscrucialchallengesin Sunrock Canada Locations: www.thesunrockgroup.com the management of Ontarios aggregate UXBRIDGE BURNT RIVER FENELON FALLS industry.OSSGAremainscommitted 4695 Brock Road 2638 Kawartha Lakes 85 Industrial Park Dr. tocollaboratingwiththeMNRFto Uxbridge, ON County Rd. 121 Fenelon Falls, ON strengthentheaggregateresources Call 905-649-6222 Call 705-454-0836 Call 705-887-3432 program,aswellasprotectingand Aggregates Aggregates Ready-Mix Concrete promoting the responsible management ofaggregateresourceswithin ROCK. IT'S THE MAIN INGREDIENT. theindustry.22 AVENUESWINTER 2024"