Greens support Aamjiwnaang First Nation’s calls for action on environmental racism in Chemical Valley

November 10, 2024

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Aislinn Clancy released the following statement echoing Aamjiwnaang First Nation’s call for the provincial and federal governments to work collaboratively with them to address environmental racism and industrial pollution facing their community.

“For far too long, Liberal and Conservative governments have allowed manufacturers in Chemical Valley to pump out toxic air contaminants that pose serious health risks to the surrounding communities, including Aamjiwnaang First Nation.

Allowing this kind of environmental racism to persist in our province is absolutely shameful, and it must come to an end today.

Greens echo Aamjiwnaang First Nation’s calls for the provincial government to work collaboratively with them to address environmental racism and toxic pollution affecting their community, including:

• Updating Regulation 350, the Lambton Industrial Meteorological Alert (LIMA), to address the cumulative impacts and the harms and injustices of SO2 emissions.
• Taking action on the problems identified by the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project (SAEHP), which was led by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
• Conducting necessary technical reviews to ensure the best available air pollution control is applied to key sources of pollution.
• Conducting comprehensive follow up investigations to assess impacts of past contamination, including cumulative impacts.
• Reviewing and assessing the need for improved oversight of industry process safety management practices.”

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