CPAC RECONFIRMS PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY AND OPENESS

There was an open meeting this morning dealing with things like agenda items for the next CPAC meeting (6 pm. Thurs. May 2/13) as well as discussions around private technical meetings Chemtura wishes to hold at their site and under their chairmanship. As I understand the rules, apparently a quorum (currently three) of CPAC members cannot meet in private. Apparently this is similar to Township Council rules. That being said, less than a quorum of CPAC members (ie. 1 or 2) are permitted to meet privately at their discretion with various stakeholders including Chemtura, the Ministry of the Environment etc.. I would describe these rules as both awkward and as necessary, unfortunately.

There was also discussion about the M.O.E.'s recent downriver study of sediments and soils. The details will be discussed and questions asked at the upcoming May 2 CPAC meeting. There was both praise and criticism of this report as it seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. Yours truly did get to utter the words "I told you so" in regards to the M.O.E.'s refusal to give CPAC or SWAT a Work Plan in advance of the work being done.

I think it's fair to suggest that there is unanimity from CPAC regarding their mandate, direction and purpose. While tactics and strategy opinions may vary; it is heartening to see the overall solidarity of purpose and overall understanding of the big picture and where all the stakeholders fit into it.