By Tera Camus, Chronicle Herald, May 24, 1999
Sydney - Some residents living on the other side of the toxic coke ovens site are fed up and are
ready to speak out.
A meeting has been called for Wednesday night at the Leisure Gardens on Vulcan Avenue by two
residents who have been fighting for a cleanup for more than 15 years. The meeting will start at 7
p.m.
"Enough is enough, it's time to speak out," Don Deleskie said. He plans to show residents several
studies conducted by the federal and provincial governments in 1985 which indicates officials had
prior knowledge about the toxins spewed in Sydney.
"It's not just arsenic, it's benzene and other deadly chemicals . . ., " he said. "Government knew it
was going to kill the people. It was going to increase the rate of cancer among the residents of
Sydney, but they said nothing."
The other side of the coke ovens site is Frederick Street, which has its own share of toxins oozing
into the neighborhood. Nine homes were evacuated after arsenic was found in several basements
over the past two weeks.
One report Mr. Deleskie plans to show is from 1985, prepared by the federal government for the
province, which recommended the coke ovens not reopen without stricter pollution controls.
"Reopening the plant without emission controls could . . . result in an increase of morbidity and
mortality in Sydney residents and coke plant workers," the report said. The plant opened again with
no added controls until 1988 when it closed for good.
Just last year, a mortality analysis by the Joint Action Group determined Sydney residents have
shorter lifespans and a death rate 16 per cent greater than other Canadians due to the high
incidence of killer diseases such as cancer.
Although no scientific link has been established, many blame the toxic waste sites for this situation.
