Ms. Frances Morrison

email:

 Dear Ms. Morrison:

The Office of the Prime Minister has provided me with a copy of your message dated August 7, concerning the .

 As I mentioned to you in my letter of August 25, Environment Canada is concerned first and foremost about the health and safety of the residents of Sydney. As you know, my department has been working with Health Canada and the other levels of government, from the first indication of a possible problem, to ensure that the concerns of the Frederick Street residents are addressed as quickly as possible. I continue to receive daily progress reports so that I can closely monitor this situation. My officials will continue to participate in the Intergovernmental Monitoring Team, providing expertise in the areas of environmental risk assessment and contamination evaluation. However, the ultimate responsibility for relocation rests with the provincial department of health.

 I appreciate your concern for securing the funding for the ultimate cleanup of the . The funding for the long-term cleanup of a site as large and technically complex as this one must come in a step by step approach. To announce long-term funding at this point would be to presuppose the ultimate solutions, before the Joint Action Group, on behalf of the community, has identified them. A phased approach will fund the identification of solutions that are environmentally sound, socially acceptable, economically responsible and health conscious, as recommended by the Joint Action Group.

 I am pleased to have received the Memorandum of Understanding as ratified at the Joint Action Group Roundtable of July 29. I look forward to visiting Sydney in the coming months to sign this important document, which will formalize the co-operative working relationships among the various levels of government and the community.

 Please accept my best wishes.

 Yours sincerely,

 Original signed by

 Christine S. Stewart