Protesters had to be held back by police after they threatened to storm a groundbreaking ceremony for a new incinerator in Courtice on Wednesday.
Dignitaries who arrived for the ceremony were greeted by around 50-100 angry opponents of the $272 million incinerator near Clarington.
It will burn up to 140,000 tonnes of garbage from Durham and York regions per year, raising fears of a health threat.
"We are going to protest and be in their face every opportunity we get," vowed protest organizer Bill Steele. "Because nobody here in Durham wanted this incinerator and we are going to let them know."
"Clarington is going to be empty in 30 years and the first people to move out of here are going to be the councillors who voted this damn thing in," another unnamed protester screamed.
The incinerator, designed by Covanta Energy, is expected to be up and running in 3-and-a-half years.
"We have as much at stake as they (protesters) do," said Roger Anderson, Chair, Durham Region. "My father lives a quarter of a mile from here. So we all have family, we all have things at stake. It was a tough decision, but it was the right decision."