Ford government criticized for withholding vital air pollution data from the Aamjiwnaang First Nation | The Canadian News

Opposition parties criticized the Ford administration for delaying the release of critical air pollution data that projected alarming levels of a cancer-causing chemical in the air of a First Nations community near Sarnia, Ontario.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath said it was “scary” that members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation had to wait months to obtain data from the Environment Ministry, which could have significant health implications.

“It shouldn’t be the case that we have these levels of a carcinogen that people are exposed to,” Horwath said.

“It is shocking that this information has not been acted upon, despite the fact that the government knew about it and the previous government knew about it.”

The data included a forecast of contamination by benzene, a cancer-related chemical, up to 44 times the annual level in the northern part of the First Nation.

The model data, obtained in part through freedom of information legislation, also indicated that sulfur dioxide (SO2) levels were at much higher concentrations in the First Nation than in other major cities in Canada.

“This level of concentration of that chemical, we would not accept it anywhere else. So why is it acceptable here? Horwath said.

“This is the opposite of reconciliation.”

The criticism follows in the footsteps of a Global News report detailing how Aamjiwnaang had been demanding the government to release data on various carcinogenic chemicals for months. The community has also been fighting over other air pollution reports since 2017.

Both the reports and a long-awaited proposal for a new SO2 regulation were released last week following questions from Global News.

“The only reason he shared some of the data is because of pressure from (Global News),” said Aamjiwnaang boss Chris Plain.

Environment Minister David Piccini deviated when asked about the delays in releasing the new data and blamed the previous Liberal government, which has not been in power for nearly four years.

“It is unacceptable how things were allowed to continue in the Sarnia region,” he said. “We have launched a panel working with the community, working with Aamjiwnaang First Nation, working with industry, working with healthcare experts, and we have worked to reduce SO2 emissions.”

Meanwhile, Liberal leader Steven Del Duca said it was “deeply disturbing” that the government delayed the release of this important information.

“One of the most important things is full and transparent disclosure and not making people have to beg for information and treat it like some kind of weird scavenger hunt,” he said.

Del Duca said current and future governments must work harder to achieve a commitment to reconciliation with First Nations communities.

“There is a certain hypocrisy when we all say the right things about the need for genuine reconciliation and yet we can’t even get into a real discussion,” he said.

Chronic exposure to chemicals like benzene has been linked to cancers like leukemia or lymphoma, according to the federal government.

A community health study was launched following a 2017 Global News investigation that revealed a series of industrial leaks and spills in the Sarnia area and highlighted stories from residents who believed it was making them sick.

The recently released benzene data is part of the Health Study Air Exposure Review and also looked at other known carcinogens such as 1,3-butadiene, as well as sulfur dioxide, which can cause respiratory distress.

The model data indicated that sulfur dioxide levels over three years were forecast to be as high as 11 parts per billion (ppb) in the industrial heart of Sarnia and five to six ppb in north Aamjiwnaang.

Toronto, by contrast, had an annual SO2 level of 0.3 ppb for the last year that data was reported.

Crown and Indian Relations Minister Marc Miller said it was a “devastating example” of how pollution can affect a First Nation.

“There are multi-level factors to the Ontario government and the work we must do together to make sure these people can have quality air like everyone else,” Miller said. “It’s something I’ll be working on.”

The Ministry of the Environment recently introduced a new sulfur dioxide regulation, which, if approved, would reduce oil refinery levels by as much as 30 percent next year and by 90 percent by 2026.

But for members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, the Ontario government’s decision to delay releasing crucial data amounted to “disrespectful” association.

“When we talk to the ministry and the province about nation-to-nation and reconciliation, if we can’t even get a minister to answer our letters, it talks about the government’s commitment,” said Aamjiwnaang environment coordinator Sharilyn Johnston.