[Toronto, Ontario, November 28, 2019] – It was revealed this week that Hamilton has dumped 24 billion litres of wastewater into Chedoke Creek between 2014 and 2018. Until the story broke, the public had not been informed.

As our members across Ontario are aware, the GBPA has been working tirelessly to ensure that a province-wide mechanism exists to ensure that all Ontario municipalities are held to the same standard to report publicly on these sewage dumping incidents, in real time. As part of this mission, we have been working with all levels of government since the news in Hamilton broke to help enact lasting and meaningful change for local residents.

To that end, the GBPA would like to take this opportunity to recognize the important work of two leaders who have championed the issue. Last night, the City Council of Hamilton issued an apology for this instance of prolonged wastewater dumping. In tandem, Councillor Brad Clark, who previously introduced a City Council Motion with the support of the GBPA to publicly report all wastewater incidents in Hamilton Harbor, introduced a new motion with our support to ensure that all reportable wastewater incidents in the City will be made public in real time, through the city’s new online portal.

Councillor Clark has been a strong leader on this issue and, like the GBPA, supports a mechanism ensuring all municipalities report these incidents in real time to their citizens. The GBPA would like to thank Councillor Clark for his tireless work.  

The GBPA would also like to recognize the leadership of Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Jeff Yurek. Minister Yurek and his government have demonstrated a willingness to address this issue once and for all. Within the Made in Ontario Environment Plan and in the Ontario Legislature, Minister Yurek has made it clear that Ontario will be implementing a mechanism for real time bypass, sewage and wastewater reporting in the near future. This will ensure that all municipalities in Ontario must inform their citizens of any incidents in real time and is a critical first step to ending this practice. The GBPA and our members would like to recognize Minister Yurek and his team for their hard work and leadership on this difficult issue.

The Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance is committed to ensuring Municipalities end the practice of dumping wastewater and sewage in Ontario. We believe that protecting the water quality of our lakes and rivers must be a priority for all Municipalities.

For More information please contact:

Jon Telch, Spokesperson

Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance

[email protected]

(647) 965-3706