I’m not sure what caused me to notice an Environmental Protection Notice in the May 15 edition of the Observer, but in any case what I read in that notice was quite shocking.
It seems that Orica Canada wants to amend a previous permit to discharge, through open burning, increased amount of waste explosives and associated materials.
It seems that Orica is asking to increase this amount six-fold from 1,000 kg per month to 6,000.
And here I thought that in an “advanced” country such as ours, we had long ago stopped considering the air we breathe as a dumping ground.
In fairness to the company in question, they are following the procedures laid down by law. What gets to me, is that the Environmental Protection Agency just isn’t living up to their name. How is putting into place a legal means of polluting the air protecting it? Why isn’t this government agency which is charged with protecting our air and water, requiring companies like this to clean up waste products before discharge? Do we want to take a chance that breathing this stuff is okay?
Do I think the foxes are in charge of the hen-house? You bet.
Linda Grant
