Registered Mail
October 5, 1999
Minister of the Environment
Ministry of Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5
Dear Sirs/Mesdames:
Re: Demolition and site clean up (Port Union Rd. and Lawrence Ave. E.)
Johns Manville Asbestos Factory Plant/Land
The Centennial Community Recreation Association has been involved in the various asbestos cleanups of the former Johns Manville Asbestos Factory lands. Because of the contamination of the site with asbestos we have been involved in the "Royal Commission of the use of Asbestos in Ontario", an Environmental Assessment, an Environmental Assessment Board Hearing, and four separate Ontario Municipal Board hearings.
Recently the Ministry of Environment approved a plan of demolition and site remediation. For whatever reason the Ministry made a very serious mistake. First of all the plan which they approved is not as stringent as to what the Minister had approved in the 1980's. Furthermore, the original plan had been approved by the Environmental Assessment Board. In the circumstances it is incomprehensible a lesser plan of cleanup would meet with the Ministry's approval. Furthermore, the present plan basically guarantees a higher risk of the public being contaminated with asbestos dust. A copy of our ongoing concerns is enclosed for your perusal.
Please note we intend to rely on this letter as proof that the appropriate governmental bodies were warned of this problem.
Yours very truly,
Joseph Pileggi, CCRA Environment Chair
with copies to Ms. Elizabeth Stanley; Hon. Steven Gilchrist; Ms. Gay Cowbourne; Mr. Ron Moeser; Mayor Mel Lastman; Mr. David Soknacki
