Incinerator protest blocks N.B. highway

Canada.com
Oct. 6, 2003
Broadcast News

RCMP were forced to close a highway in Northern New Brunswick Sunday because of a huge protest.

Police say almost 2,000 people protested against a planned toxic waste incinerator in Belledune. The large number of people and vehicles prompted police to close a section of Highway 134 for about two hours. The protest ended peacefully.

Bennett Environmental's $20-million incinerator will burn soils tainted with hydrocarbons and creosote. People opposed to the plan want the provincial government to conduct an independent health and environmental assessment first.

If the project goes ahead, the incinerator's first job will be to treat 300,000 tonnes of contaminated soil from a hazardous waste site in New Jersey.