WOOLWICH COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RATIFIES CPAC RESOLUTION

Dr. Dan Holt, Chair of CPAC, introduced CPAC's grroundbreaking Resolution to Council (Committee of the Whole) last evening in the Woolwich Council Chambers. This is the Resolution that CPAC had passed unanimously last Thursday evening (April 26/12). Above and beyond the significance of CPAC advising Woolwich Council that the responsibility and financial liability for the cleanup of the Elmira Aquifers rests with the Province, via the Ministry of the Environment, is CPAC's declaration of government mismanagement. They have done this both in the Resolution itself as well as in Dan Holt's introduction last evening. The Resolution states the following truths: 1) The 2028 Elmira aquifers cleanup will not happen 2) Uniroyal/Chemtura chemical contamination is still leaving their site 3) Pump and treat (hydraulic containment) technology on its' own is inadequate 4) The number one priority must be the removal of source areas of contamination still on the Chemtura site in Elmira.

Dan Holt's introduction last evening consisted of his presenting background as well as reading the Resolution to Council (Comm. of the Whole). In his background introduction he quoted part of the October 7, 1991 Settlement Agreement also known as the "sweetheart deal". Dan used the word Indemnity and Indemnified while avoiding the inflammatory expression "sweetheart deal". I choose to be more blunt as I feel the term more accurately expresses both the intent and result of their Agreement. Dan also stated "We, CPAC, feel strongly that this has produced a situation where there is no real oversight regarding the cleanup of contamination of Elmira's drinking water.". Finally Dan also stated that in regards to the chosen date of 2028 "CPAC feels that this date is artificial and truthfully, when the double indemnification clause is considered, it is meaningless.".

Woolwich Council (Comm. of the whole) passed CPAC's Resolution unanimously. This is an incredible step forward from the sham and smokescreen that has been ongoing for the last two decades plus. This is a polite but nevertheless incredible repudiation of the cosy arrangement (sweetheart deal) between the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Chemtura Canada. It is also a repudiation of, and hence will draw criticism from, Conestoga Rovers the long time consultants to Chemtura, the old CPAC members and even possibly past Council members.

Let there be no mistake, Woolwich Council deserve a ton of credit here. There will be pushback from vested interests. Both Council and CPAC have passed an incredibly confrontational Resolution. It is confrontational not by its language or its tone but by its honesty. Mayor Todd Cowan handpicked very incredible citizens to sit on this Committee (CPAC) and deserves credit for so doing. Next Tuesday (May 8) at 7 pm. Woolwich Council formally must endorse the ratification given last night by Committee of the Whole in order for it to proceed. I intend to be there.