Coalition For A Better St. Catharines

Another concerned citizen shows up this morning at the site on Ontario St. Residents want this cleaned up NOW.

Just three days away! Register now to attend Wednesday's information session starting at 7 pm. During the past six months we have reviewed research, reports and interviewed many experts about the situation at the former GM site. Our findings, which we will share with you, are shocking and alarming and point to the absolute need to act without delay or hesitation. Register here. It's free. We will send Zoom link to you. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gm-lands-public-information-ses

The Auditor General released their report: With contaminants leaking from the GM site into Twelve Mile Creek a tributary of Lake Ontario we cannot rely on MOECP to protect us and our environment: "The Environment Ministry has not set targets for conserving water; decreasing hazardous and toxic substances in products; improving the water quality of lakes (other than Lake Simcoe and Lake Erie); or protecting and recovering species at risk. https://www.auditor.on.ca//ENV_settingindicatorsandtargets

Trichloroethylene (TCE) was commonly used as a degreasing agent at the former GM factory. There are several areas of TCE contamination on the former GM site. In our public information session on Wed, November 25 at 7 pm we will discuss what it means to the health of the community and what has happened in other communities with similar proximity to TCE deposits. There is no cost to attend, Please register here for the session. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gm-lands-public-information-ses

Register now to attend next week's information session on Wednesday,November 25 at 7 pm when we will share with the community all the information we've collected from scientists, brownfield experts and other communities that have faced similar situations. Find out what we know about what's on and under the former GM site, why it is potentially dangerous to the environment, why it could threaten the health of the adjoining neighbourhoods, how it's affecting property values and what we can do to protect citizens. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/gm-lands-public-information-ses

These picture were sent to us today from a concerned citizen. After yesterday’s wind storm this is what remains as a safety barrier.

’ Most of these photos were taken immediately after high winds swept through the city last night, ripping off plywood and sending it crashing onto the sidewalk below. Broken glass litters the area where people have been smashing windows from the inside (in one case with an old fire extinguisher), spraying glass on the street and walkway. Presumably, the barrier is supposed to keep passersby from getting hit with broken glass, plywood or objects th...rown from the upper windows. Note that provincial policy allows the city to complete any incomplete demolitions, especially those that present a hazard to citizens, and when they do complete the demolition they can put a priority lien on the land. All of us should be making that demand to the city. It is easy to imagine that any of the flying plywood or broken glass could have killed or injured citizens. The city cannot ignore the threat of an unstable building in a residential neighbourhood any longer. Sawhorses, tape and denial are not the answer. To remove this festering hazard, the city must immediately follow these six steps of Stage 1 of the Brownfield Remediation Process: Stage 1 Remediation: Securing the Site and Ensuring Public Safety 1. close the land and secure the facility to prevent public access to possible health and safety hazards 2. remove equipment and valuable salvageable material 3. demolish the buildings and remove all debris to appropriate disposal facilities 4. When large areas are covered with concrete or asphalt, as with the GM site, such water-impermeable cover must be removed to control drainage 5. existing ponds, whether natural or man-made must be drained to prevent migration of contaminated liquids to proximate lands and water 6. As the soil under the concrete/asphalt is exposed, the land and drainage must be secured against migration of soil and dust via air and water.

ICYMI: A few weeks back I asked the Minister of the Environment to come sit down with the Mayor and the City of St. Catharines to talk timelines on the former G...M Lands. We have been assured that the tests are being analyzed now, and the results will be imminent. We won't be waiting 6 months like last time. The neighbourhoods and residents need peace of mind when it comes to this site and toxic materials. I want to thank Minister Jeff Yurek for agreeing to meet with Mayor Walter Sendzik and me for this important discussion. #GMLands Read more here: https://buff.ly/2IzPkIW

Retired Workers speak out about the condition of the former St. Catharines GM plant.