"THEY ALL LIE"

Recently a friend and colleague advised me that well known environmental activist, Pat Potter, had been known to go to public meetings regarding environmental matters wearing a button which said "THEY ALL LIE". Now my understanding of that conversation was that Pat was referring to corporate polluters, the Ministry of Environment, consultants to corporate polluters, and any and all politicians prepared to voice advice or opinions on the matter at hand. Stating the old joke, I don't think it's fair to paint all the members of those groups with the same brush just because 95% of them are guilty.

Two and a half weeks ago I posted here about the December 2012 blowup at Woolwich Council Chambers regarding the decision to re-verify Chemtura or not with the *Responsible Care logo and membership. Dr. Holt got into it big time with Chemtura reps Josef Olejarz and Dwight Este. The January 31, 2013 Elmira Independent carried more news on the issue that occurred at the monthly CPAC meeting at the end of January. Bob Masterson of the Chemical Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) attended and spoke about the *Responsible Care program. Myself, Vivienne Delaney, Dr. Dan Holt, and Richard Clausi (SWAT) all strongly criticized Chemtura's behaviour at the December 18/12 Council meeting in which they took turns misrepresenting and making false allegations against CPAC Chair, Dr. Dan Holt.

At this January 2013 CPAC meeting there was also strong criticism of Pat McLean being appointed to the verification committee by Chemtura. The criticism, plus details, came from Richard Clausi. He made it clear that Pat McLean, based upon her past behaviour, was viewed as being far too sympathetic with Chemtura Canada. For me the final takeaway from this entire episode was that *Responsible Care and the CIAC are simply a public relations tool in Canada for the chemical industry. They are just part and parcel of the entire sham of community public consultation. The polluter's hands are on the controls throughout the entire process of cleanup, "research", and unfortunately they even have major input into who represents citizens on public advisory committees and verification teams. It is all a pathetic joke aided and abetted by local municipal councils and the provincial ministry of environment.