How have the goals and objectives since 1989-90 changed so radically? Back then we were promised the Cadillac cleanup. Back then we were advised that Uniroyal Chemical under the supervision of the Ontario Ministry of Environment would totally clean up the disaster that they had made including on and off their site. Here we are 34 years later and our drinking water aquifers will not be fully remediated until 2050 or 2060 if ever. The Canagagigue Creek is full of Persistent Organic Pollutants (dioxins, DDT, PCBs mercury etc.) mostly from Uniroyal yet we the citizens are now being told that Lanxess are not responsible and any cleanup is strictly voluntary. Finally longterm DNAPLS and LNAPLS have NOT been properly cleaned up on site and will continue to threaten ground and surface water for many more decades.
Last evening Sebastian followed up on his late Tuesday e-mail and spoke truth to power. The insidious lies and corruption are so deep that some TAG members argued against Sebastian after he advised that many of the alleged scientific documents and reports were of dubious and questionable quality. For decades I've been appalled at the typos, incorrect references to Tables & Figures, inaccurate conclusions arising from the weakest of sampling and evidence etc. Linda, Susan and Wilson all countered Sebastian's criticisms including what I have long referred to as junk science and psuedo science. Of the three TAG members I believe that one of them simply doesn't know what she doesn't know about the site i.e. ignorance and at least one other has long ago gone over to the dark side who are in charge and control.
Sebastian also advised of the inherent credibility advantage well credentialed experts and professionals have. Their use of scientific language and jargon combined with fawning and elaborate introductions makes it hard to criticize even their most ridiculous conclusions and opinions. Professionals with a long list of credentials behind their names are immediately imbued with a certain authority that is difficult to attack.. Their willingness to make unsupported assumptions that usually support less costly alternatives and less rigorous remediation are welcomed by their polluter clients. Sebastian also suggested that TAG did not have enough "guns". In other words TAG did not have enough expertise of their own to directly challenge the other side. Serious issues and ramifications of decisions are not being raised aggressively by TAG members. Sebastian also stated that there are many errors in the HHERA and he is correct. Either Stantec or GHD advising that yes they will look a little harder into a matter and then returning months later to advise TAG that they have now "incorporated" their latest findings into the Human Health & Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) is NOT SATISFACTORY. How and where has the new data been "incorporated". Show us and explain it clearly!
Sebastian as always was polite and respectful which frankly is wasted on many of those in attendance nor do they deserve polite and respectful. Their lying, intentional obtuseness and hiding behind the MECP and Woolwich is disgraceful. Sebastian advised that TAG need far more critical thinking and far less deference to client driven experts. TAG need to challenge authority when it makes broad, unsupported blanket statements. He referred to TAG as "tame". In my words they are not watchdogs they are lapdogs. Finally Sebastian advised that TAG are making a big mistake in closing the door on community input.
On openminded, unbiased individuals his words as a four year CPAC member and eight year TAG member are powerful. To TAG there was as usual no support to their disgrace and shame.
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