Tiny Voices - Episode 2: Exploring the TTAC Environmental Impact with Dr. Paul Bell
In Episode 2 of Tiny Voices, Tiny Township resident and forest entomologist Dr. Paul Bell discusses the ecological impact of the proposed Administrative Centre and the endangered Ice Age grass (Aristida basiramea) it threatens. The conversation explores the importance of this unique ecosystem, the potential consequences of construction, and what residents can do to protect it.
TinyTRA
2/8/20252 min read
The latest episode of Tiny Voices explores the ecological impact of the proposed Tiny Township Administrative Centre with local forest entomologist Dr. Paul Bell. Following the recording, a delegation met with representatives from the regional Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) in Barrie on January 23rd to clarify the project’s environmental implications and regulatory oversight.
In attendance were Dr. Paul Bell, Erik Schomann, Greg Athron (MECP Enforcement Officer for Simcoe North), Chris Hyde (Regional Manager), Brad Allen (Abatement Supervisor), and an additional MECP representative who joined via Zoom. The meeting offered critical insights into the limitations of regulatory intervention and reinforced the necessity of continued public and political pressure.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting:
1. Township Compliance
MECP officials confirmed that Tiny Township is meeting the minimal legal standards of environmental protection. As a result, the ministry has no grounds to intervene further at this time.
2. Tree Cutting Jurisdiction
The Township’s planned tree clearing falls under the jurisdiction of the County of Simcoe, not the MECP, limiting the ministry’s ability to take action against deforestation in the proposed development area.
3. Archaeological Digs Must Be Completed First
The MECP affirmed that all required archaeological studies must be completed before any construction can begin. This requirement provides a checkpoint before physical alterations to the site occur.
4. No Full Environmental Assessment Required
Despite concerns about the ecological impact, current regulations do not mandate a full Environmental Assessment for a project of this scale and scope.
5. Open Line of Communication with MECP
While regulatory avenues for intervention remain limited, MECP officials assured attendees that they are available to respond if the Township deviates from legal environmental protocols. Specifically, they requested to be informed if the Township encroaches upon the protected Ice Age Grassland within its designated 30-metre buffer zone.
Lessons from Site 41: A Political Solution Still Possible
The meeting ended with a revealing acknowledgment: when Dr. Bell referenced Site 41, the failed landfill project halted in 2009, MECP representatives confirmed that its cancellation was due to overwhelming political opposition rather than regulatory enforcement. This historical precedent underscores that while the legal framework may not be on the side of conservation efforts, sustained public advocacy and political mobilization remain powerful tools in protecting the environment.
While this meeting did not yield the immediate intervention many hoped for, it clarified the regulatory landscape and highlighted the urgent need to continue applying pressure on decision-makers. The Tiny Voices podcast will continue to track this issue and amplify community voices demanding sustainable alternatives to the Township’s proposed development.
Stay engaged, stay informed, and keep up the fight for Tiny’s natural heritage.
