| News
Former illegal PCB storage site – No contamination of residential properties
The mayor of the City of Pointe-Claire, Morris Trudeau, and City councillors met with the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC) for an update on the former illegal PCB storage site and adjacent lots, receiving confirmation that neighbouring residential properties were not contaminated by these toxic chemicals. Minister David Heurtel also reaffirmed his commitment to the site’s prompt rehabilitation.
“Soil characterization work was conducted on adjacent lots in 2016 and 2017 by the site’s current owner, Juste Investir Inc. The results were carefully analyzed by Ministry experts, and they confirm that the residential sector is not contaminated. The same is true for the industrial lots located west of 86-88 Hymus Boulevard. The contamination did, however, reach some portions of the industrial lots in the eastern sector, below industrial standards,” explains Mayor Trudeau.
The mayor of Pointe-Claire gave residents an update on the situation at a public information session held yesterday evening at City Hall. Also in attendance were MDDELCC experts, the Public Health Department and City of Pointe-Claire administrators.
The characterization results show that south of the site—specifically in the samples taken from the bicycle path near residential addresses—the contamination level is within the allowable limits for residential use. This confirms that the contamination did not reach the bicycle path or residential properties.
Since the discovery of the illegally stored PCBs in 2013, the City of Pointe-Claire and the MDDLECC have worked to secure the site and eliminate the PCBs posing a danger to public health and safety. As of January 2014, the site no longer poses any risk to the public but must still be decontaminated and rehabilitated in accordance with two ministerial orders.
Minister Heurtel also confirms that Juste Investir Inc. has officially been declared non-compliant with the Ministerial Order requiring the company to produce a site rehabilitation plan. The MDDLECC has therefore initiated the public tender process so this plan can be completed as soon as possible, at Juste Investir’s expense.
“For nearly four years, the government has upheld the same commitment and the same determination to secure the site—which has been done—and to rehabilitate it—which we are still waiting on. Although it is taking some time and we must respect the rights and remedies of everyone involved, rest assured that the City and the MDDELCC are equally determined to see this situation through to a complete and definitive resolution. Our responsibility and our commitment continue to be the same: to ensure the health and safety of everyone,” concludes Mayor Trudeau.
Information: 514 630-1200, communications@pointe-claire.ca