Exploring the Lasting Environmental Impact of Heavy Industry at the Former GM Site in St. Catharines

Becoming a mom changed everything for Melinda Lortie. She feels a fierce love for her daughter but also a rising anger about the world around them.

“As a parent, I worry so much about our safety. Chris and I want to shield our daughter from potential dangers, yet the old GM site looms over us like a monster, and I fear what it might bring,” she shared in an interview.

The former General Motors plant, which was operational for about 100 years, is now a contaminated site posing health risks to the community. Families like Melinda’s see it as more than just a piece of industrial history; it is a continual threat to their health.

Concerns have grown over the environmental implications of this location. An investigation revealed troubling facts regarding the hazards linked to the site. The Pointer spent over two years battling with the City of St. Catharines to get important documents on these issues.

GM, which owned the property until it was sold, argued that releasing these reports would harm the company’s reputation. The City sided with GM, claiming that residents might not understand the technical details, which could cause unnecessary fear. Critics, however, believe the City prioritized corporate reputation over the community’s right to know.

Despite recognizing serious contamination from previous assessments, the City rezoned the area for development in 2020. This decision raised eyebrows since earlier reports flagged dangerous levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), known carcinogens that increase the risk of various health issues.

PCBs do not easily break down in the environment. They can travel through air and water, accumulating in the food chain and posing risks to many species, including humans. Understanding the behavior of PCBs is crucial. Unlike some pollutants that stay put, the oil-based PCBs can migrate easily, making clean-up efforts challenging.

The site contains other hazardous substances commonly found in car manufacturing, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, lead, and benzene. Alarmingly, some levels were found to be over a thousand times higher than acceptable standards. Despite the evident dangers, redevelopment plans continue with no clear understanding of the current contamination levels.

To manage the leaking PCBs, the landowners were instructed to build a berm to channel contaminated runoff to treatment facilities. However, tests showed that even after these efforts, toxic water continued to escape from the site.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Similar cases have occurred in other places where industries left behind pollution, leaving communities to deal with the aftermath. For instance, General Motors was involved in environmental damage in various regions, including the Akwesasne community, causing serious health impacts from industrial chemicals.

In Oshawa, where GM operated for many years, contamination from a past degreaser has affected local properties, leading to prolonged cleanup efforts. Although measures were taken, including soil excavation and chemical treatment, cleaning these sites often proves to be a long and complex process.

Efforts to remove PCBs from contaminated areas are challenging. Various methods have shown promise, but there are limited facilities in Canada capable of handling PCB cleanup.

For decades, the dangers of PCBs have been known, but proper regulations only came in place after their detection in the Great Lakes in the 1960s. A global treaty now requires countries to phase out PCB use and manage contaminated waste appropriately.

Legislation can often hinder accountability for polluters. For instance, Ontario’s Schedule 9 of Bill 132 made it easier for industries to pollute by capping fines and removing daily penalties. This shift has drawn criticism for failing to hold companies accountable.

Contaminated communities face ongoing health risks, including elevated cancer rates from toxic exposures. These issues are not just environmental; they impact the cultural identity and rights of affected communities. Many residents are now advocating for environmental justice, pushing for stricter regulations and accountability.

The case of mercury poisoning in Grassy Narrows exposes a long-standing environmental crisis. A paper mill’s past discharges caused extensive water contamination, leading to ongoing health issues for the community. Despite the mill ceasing mercury use, downstream pollution and exposure continue to be significant concerns.

Remediation efforts exist, showing that cleanup can be done effectively with government action. Successes in sites like Deloro demonstrate that with the right approach, harmful environmental legacies can be addressed.

To resolve these issues, experts argue for stricter enforcement of existing laws and accountability measures for industries responsible for contamination. Community-led initiatives and advocacy continue to play a crucial role in bringing attention to these significant health and environmental challenges.