Profit Over People – The Sequel: MPP Mamakwa denounces continued Conservative disregard for the health of Aamjiwnaang First Nation

QUEEN’S PARK - NDP Deputy Leader and critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations Sol Mamakwa is calling on the Ontario government to abide with the steps outlined in Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Ecojustice’s press release published earlier this morning. This includes updating the Lambton Industrial Meteorological Alert (LIMA) regulation in accordance with the longstanding requests from Aamjiwnaang.

“If the INEOS regulation is any indication, what Aamjiwnaang is asking for is really not too much,” said Mamakwa. “If the government had the will to improve this regulation and the environmental impacts, they would be able to do so efficiently. Instead, they are allowing the profit-seeking motives of industry impact their decisions at the expense of Indigenous people's health and well-being.”

“Article 29 of the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples affirms in writing the rights of Indigenous peoples to protect the environment in their lands and territories, and instructs governments to “take effective measures to ensure that no storage or disposal of hazardous materials shall take place in the lands or territories of indigenous peoples without their free, prior and informed consent.

"The relentless pursuit of profit over people has led to Sarnia’s ‘Chemical Valley’ become an infamous and stark example of environmental racism resulting from ongoing systems of colonialism.

“The government is being given a chance to respond to Aamjiwnaang First Nation’s requests to finally update the LIMA regulation for the better, and to move forward with a collaborative approach. The question ultimately comes down to whether the Ontario government cares about the health of Indigenous peoples and respects Aamjiwnaang’s right to make decisions, or whether it prefers to continue down a road of division rooted in colonialism and the violation of human rights.”

While the LIMA regulation reduces the cumulative sulphur dioxide (SO2) impacts from the regulated industries, the threshold on the pollutant is too high to meaningfully protect human health. Ontario needs to follow Aamjiwnaang’s guidance on lower the SO2 threshold and limit, as well as updating the means of ensuring compliance with the regulation and ensuring that all air monitors in the regulated area are able to trigger a LIMA alert.

Background:

• On April 25, 2024, Aamjiwnaang First Nation’s Chief and Council declared a local state of emergency because of the continued excessive discharge of the cancer-causing chemical benzene from the INEOS Styrolution facility in Sarnia, Ontario.
• At the time, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks responded by issuing a provincial order against INEOS.