Liberals Continue to Ignore Latest Health Study
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday, October 22, 1998
Ottawa - Chief Environment Critic Rick Casson, Reform MP for Lethbridge,
accused the Liberals today of ignoring the Sydney Tar Ponds. "Just
because the Liberals think of Sydney as a backwater, how long do they
think they can ignore this environmental disaster and threat to the lives
of Cape Bretoners?" demanded an angry Casson.
The Tar Ponds, situated in Sydney, Nova Scotia, is a toxic waste site
created by decades of industrial pollution. The former steel plant site
is saturated with toxic chemicals that are extremely dangerous to human
health. Health Canada studies have shown that Sydney residents have
higher than average rates of 22 major illnesses. The most recent study,
headed by Dalhousie scientist Judy Guersney, show that Sydney residents
were nearly 50% more likely to develop cancer than the average Nova
Scotian.
Three successive Liberal government Environment ministers have promised to
clean up the Tar Ponds. Sheila Copps, Environment Minister in 1995 said
that measures were being taken to ensure the health and safety of nearby
residents was not affected. On January 27, 1997, Minister Sergio Marchi
called the issue "a national shame," and said he was determined to clean
it up. He also admitted that if the Tar Ponds were in Ontario, "...the
government of Ontario and the people wouldn't have put up with it".
Current Minister, Christine Stewart, said today that her government is
"very concerned," however, offered no concrete commitment. To date the
government has spent $70 million, and signed agreements, but little
progress has been made.
"I question why we should believe the word of this minister," asked
Casson. "I wonder what would happen if that oozing mass of filth were on
the front lawn of Parliament or certain lawn in Shawinigan?" concluded
Casson.
>> Klaas Deemter,
>> Legislative Assistant to Rick Casson, M.P.
>> Room 251, Wellington Building
>> Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
>> e-mail: cassor1@parl.gc.ca
>> ph.: (613) 996-0633 fax: (613) 995-5752
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