Current Problems:
Exploring Theme: "Specific Industry Environmental Issues"
Updates on this page: 18
(Filtered by Stakeholder "Ontario")
October 4, 2024
Women of Aamjiwnaang First Nation evacuated during benzene removal express health concerns
Three women share their experiences living through the precautionary evacuation order with The Journal. On October 1st, INEOS began Part B of its benzene removal program at its Tashmoo Avenue site, and in anticipation of high benzene levels, a precautionary evacuation order was issued for residents of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. NationTalk: The Sarnia Journal –...
October 1, 2024
Aamjiwnaang First Nation evacuations begin as Ineos starts removing toxic chemical
First Nation near Sarnia, Ont., declared state of emergency in April over high benzene levels CBC News: For Jason Plain, Aamjiwnaang First Nation is home. On Tuesday, he was deciding whether to leave temporarily, as a neighbouring Sarnia, Ont., company had started work to remove a toxic chemical, leading the First Nation to warn of potentially...
August 14, 2024
Is Canada’s critical-minerals strategy a green shift or greenwashing?
Indigenous and remote communities will bear the long-lasting ecological, social and cultural impacts of mining. This cannot be ignored. NationTalk: Policy Options – Canada has followed the lead of many countries recently by adopting policies and measures to promote rapid development of its value chain for domestic critical minerals essential in clean energy technology. Climate change, geopolitical and economic turmoil are...
July 10, 2024
Grassy Narrows First Nation appeals to international human rights commission over mercury contamination
IACHR hearing latest effort by the First Nation in Ontario to push governments to act CBC Indigenous: In its efforts to press the Ontario and federal governments to do more to address mercury contamination of its river, Grassy Narrows First Nation told the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) that many community members have “lost...
June 12, 2024
Chemical Valley plant under benzene orders to close by 2026
A photograph from the front yard of the Aamjiwnaang Resource Centre on the First Nations Reserve in Sarnia. Behind it stand Ineos Styrolution. Photo courtesy of TheKurgan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed) Listen to article Canada’s National Observer: Ineos Styrolution, the plastics plant mired in controversy since high levels of benzene pollution were reported...
May 27, 2024
Grassy Narrows proves environmental racism is not over
NDP MP Blake Desjarlais in his office. Photo by Matteo Cimellaro / Canada’s National Observer SUPPORT JOURNALISM THAT LIGHTS THE WAY THROUGH THE CLIMATE CRISIS BY JUNE 3 Goal: $100k $35,153 Donate Canada’d National Observer: The discovery that pollution from a paper mill is contributing to the long-standing mercury poisoning afflicting Grassy Narrows First Nation...
May 23, 2024
The mercury poisoning Grassy Narrows First Nation was supposed to go away over time. A new study reveals why it’s worse than it should be
A new study has found current sulphate emissions from a paper mill are exacerbating the impact of the old mercury still in the river system. By Morgan Sevareid-BocknekInvestigative Reporter Toronto Star: For decades the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation were told the toxic mercury dumped in the river by a paper mill in the 1960s...
May 2, 2024
The true cost of critical minerals
By Emilie Cameron, Rosemary Collard & Jessica Dempsey | Opinion | Canada’s National Observer: OPINION – Canada is positioning itself as a global destination for critical mineral extraction. Are we willing to destroy caribou herds and trample on Indigenous rights to do it? Barnabas Davoti/Pexels Listen to article The 2024 federal budget bolsters Canada’s ambitions to be a global supplier of critical minerals....
April 25, 2024
Keep Sarnia plastic plant shut until First Nation says it’s safe: environment groups
APTN News: The Canadian Press – International environmental advocates are calling for a petrochemical plant in southern Ontario to remain closed, in light of reports about a benzene leak that continues to affect a neighbouring First Nation community. A letter signed by more than 100 organizations around the world calls on Canada’s environment minister to...
April 25, 2024
Plastics industry treats Indigenous lands as ‘sacrifice zones’
Canada’s National Observer: A sign for the Aamjiwnaang First Nation Resource Centre is located across the road from NOVA Chemicals in Sarnia, Ont., on April 21, 2007. (CP PHOTO/ Craig Glover) Listen to article Days after the Aamjiwnaang First Nation issued an emergency alert due to high benzene levels in the air, members from the front-line community are...
April 20, 2024
Sarnia chemical plant to shut down for maintenance after safety outcry from First Nation
Members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation say emissions from plant made them ill CBC News: A chemical plant in Sarnia, Ont., announced on Saturday that it is temporarily shutting down for maintenance and to “address a mechanical issue” following complaints from a nearby First Nation whose members say they’ve become ill from the plant’s emissions. “At INEOS...
February 13, 2024
First Nations say Ring of Fire development could have negative effects on water systems
First Peoples Law Report: CTV News – There are concerns from Indigenous leaders and community members about the development of mines, including the Ring of Fire in the far reaches of northern Ontario. At a three-day annual lands and resources forum in North Bay, members of the Anishinabek Nation expressed fears that further development could...
February 1, 2024
What will mining the Ring of Fire cost the planet?
Canada’s National Observer: The peatlands in northern Ontario have been absorbing carbon for thousands of years. File photo Listen to article When she learns mining companies have set their sights on the Hudson Bay lowlands, Lorna Harris raises the alarm — the region is home to the planet’s second-largest terrestrial carbon sink. The peatlands — also...
December 19, 2023
More than minerals at stake in Ontario’s claim-staking boom
Northern peatlands are key to Canada meeting its climate commitments, but they are threatened by a boom in Ontario mineral claims. Cheryl Chetkiewicz/WCS Canada CLIMATE JOURNALISM IS URGENT. HELP US RAISE $125,000 BY DECEMBER’S END. Goal: $125k $51,228 Donate Canada’s National Observer: With a click of a mouse, mining interests have laid claim to more...
November 30, 2023
Environmental Health study finds high levels of benzene at Aamjiwnaang First Nation, south Sarnia
NationTalk: LONDONNewToday.ca – An air exposure review of the Sarnia area, which looked at air quality dating back to 2015, has found that there are elevated airborne concentrations of benzene. The final results of the Sarnia Area Environmental Health Project were released Wednesday evening in Point Edward. Benzene is a chemical that is clear or light-yellow in colour that is primarily used...
March 16, 2023
Ontario pledges $29M to protect boreal caribou — but the spending isn’t without criticism
4-year funding plan to support habitat restoration, protection and monitoring CBC News: Ontario plans to spend $29 million to help protect an iconic — and threatened — species: boreal caribou. David Piccini, the provincial minister of environment, conservation and parks, made the announcement Wednesday at Lakehead University’s campus in Thunder Bay, Ont. The funding will be distributed...
March 6, 2023
Ontario and two First Nations agree on terms for last of three roads into Ring of Fire
The Globe and Mail: Ontario and two First Nations have agreed on terms of reference on an environmental assessment for the last of the three proposed roads into the Ring of Fire, a small step forward in the province’s ambitions to become a major player in electric vehicle minerals. Webequie, Marten Falls, and the province...
March 6, 2023
Ontario approves environmental assessment terms of reference for 3rd and final road to Ring of Fire
Plan co-developed and submitted by 2 First Nations in the area, but faces pushback from others in region CBC News: The province has approved the terms of reference for an environmental assessment (EA) on the third and final road leading to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire in northern Ontario. The terms of reference lay out the work...