1990 M.O.E. versus 2000 M.O.E. versus 2011

I am a great believer in the squeaky wheel theory. If either local citizens or local politicians aren't pushing for environmental improvement then you can be assurred that the M.O.E. won't be aggressive.

In 1990 we saw example after gross example of the M.O.E.'s go with the flow attitude. Individual citizen complaints or testimony was routinely ignored. Only when the citizens became organized and had inside industrial information did the M.O.E. start to get serious. Their continual humiliation and embarassment regarding Varnicolor Chemical revelations found and publicized by local citizens forced the M.O.E. to change numerous practices such as advanced warning prior to inspections etc.

In 2000 the M.O.E. again came under public scrutiny. Through the Walkerton Public Inquiry we saw that once again M.O.E. inspectors had backslid into the practice of requesting convenient times for inspections. The Walkerton P.U.C. were being managed and operated in an incompetent and sloppy fashion. The M.O.E. were aware of this and yet with no public or political pressure let things slide until disaster struck.

Fast forward to 2011. We have a new Woolwich Council and they know full well that environmental issues and past failures got them into office. All signs point to their aggressively pursuing improvements versus neverending talking, private meetings and private sub committees. I'm particularily optimistic in regards to greater public input, public communication and honest to God cleanup around the Chemtura site. I expect the Ontario M.O.E. to follow the Township's lead on this matter.