VICTORIA, July 24, 2019 /CNW/ - Cleaning up contamination is essential to protect nature and invest in healthy communities for our kids and grandkids. That's why the Government of Canada is continuing to build on its commitment to cleaning up the contaminated sites under its responsibility.
Today, the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, announced on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, that the Government of Canada is renewing the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan for another 15 years (2020–2034) and investing $1.16 billion from 2020–2024. This new investment will continue to remediate contaminated sites—improving the health of our environment, fuelling economic growth, and creating jobs, including those in Indigenous and northern communities.
This renewal and funding build on the success of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan. Through the fund, the Government has invested $4.54 billion, since the Plan's launch in 2005, to help close almost 17 000 contaminated sites.
With this new funding, it is estimated that 242 sites will be assessed, and remediation activities will be undertaken on 1,316 sites. Of these, remediation activities will be carried out on about 475 sites on First Nation reserves. Work at these sites supports the Government's commitment to strengthening its relationship with Indigenous Peoples through new and renewed partnerships. It also means renewed access to reserve land in First Nations communities. This investment is expected to support 6,400 new and existing private-sector jobs in the waste management and remediation sector across Canada over 5 years.
Minister Garneau also announced today the completion of the Middle Harbour Remediation Project, in Victoria, British Columbia. In all, 3,000 tonnes of contaminated sediment were removed from Victoria Harbour, and 75,000 tonnes of contaminated soil (52 barge loads) were removed from Laurel Point Park. An agreement in principle would also transfer ownership of Laurel Point Park from Transport Canada to the City of Victoria. This initiative is a successful example of how a contaminated site cleaned up with funding from the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan ensures that the area can continue to be enjoyed by residents and tourists for generations to come.
Quotes
"A strong economy and a healthy environment go together. This new federal investment will help clean up more than a thousand contaminated sites—making our environment healthier, fuelling economic growth, and supporting thousands of good middle-class jobs, including in Indigenous and northern communities. This investment will benefit our communities today and leave a healthier environment for our kids and grandkids."
– The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"The Government of Canada takes its responsibilities to protect the public and the environment very seriously. The funding announced today is supporting concrete action that will undo the harmful effects of past practices, such as those that occurred here in Victoria Harbour, while reducing the dangers that contaminants pose to human health and the environment."
–The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport
"We are more conscious of the risks to our environment than ever before and renewing the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan demonstrates our strong commitment to protecting the environment. All Canadians will be able to keep following the progress made through the transparent, publicly available Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory."
–The Honourable Joyce Murray, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government
Quick facts
- The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan recognizes the need to address the harmful effects of past practices.
- Contamination that occurred as a result of past federal activities can reduce the productive use of the property and pose risks to human health and the environment. These sites on federal real property are found at national parks (former maintenance facilities), federal harbours (former industrial uses), and First Nations reserve lands (fuel spills) among other types of properties. Sites vary in size and type. They range from small areas of soil contaminated by spilled fuel or leaking batteries to very large abandoned mine sites contaminated by heavy metals and other dangerous substances.
- Sites are prioritized for action according to their current and potential adverse impacts on human health and/or the environment.
- The $1.16 billion funding will be distributed to 18 custodians—federal departments, agencies, and consolidated Crown corporations that manage contaminated sites in their portfolios.
- The Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory contains information on more than 23,600 known and suspected federal sites. Of these, more than 70 percent are now closed because remediation is complete or because no further action is necessary. The remaining sites are either in assessment, remediation, or long-term monitoring.
Associated links
- Action plan to reduce environmental and human health risks from federal contaminated sites
- Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory
- Transport Canada completes the Victoria Middle Harbour Remediation Project and transfers land to the City of Victoria
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Bronwen Jervis, Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 873-353-8851, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338, or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]
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