Regulations

Current Regulations

Currently, the regulations surrounding air contamination and greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario are lacking. The province states that if a company can prove a pollutant does not exceed the “air standard” concentration for the specific chemical, it is allowed to operate freely. An air standard is the concentration threshold of a specific volatile chemical that will not cause adverse health effects or substantial environmental effects.

Although the toxicological effects are considered when setting an air standard, there are many problems associated with this method of air quality control when accounting for people’s health.

For one, the consequences of exceeding an air standard are minimal, if existent. Industries are not required to share their emissions data with the public and there is no harsh punishment for exceeding limits. In fact, the government has made a rule whereby companies can be allowed to exceed air standards for 8 years after their introduction, in order to allow them time to come up with a plan to reduce emissions.

As well, companies can buy “allowances” from the government or from other companies who are below the emissions threshold, allowing them to continue producing high emissions.

Finally, air standards do not take into account the effect of multiple industries operating within the same area.

Thus, if 5 factories in close proximity all released levels of sulphur dioxide within the legal limits, the concentration in the air would be 5x greater than when in the presence of a single factory.

It is therefore easy to see how the the concentration of volatile chemicals in Chemical Valley can become so high.

Though much work has yet to be done, progress is slowly being made. Many of the companies in Chemical Valley have managed to reduce their emissions and the frequency of chemical spills by implementing simple habitual procedures such as regularly sending groups of workers to tighten screws and valves.

Additionally, Canada’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has enacted a few updated rules regarding emissions. Industries are now required by law to announce any benzene leaks to the public due to its highly carcinogenic behaviour.

In addition, stricter air standards have been introduced for sulphur dioxide, which should greatly decrease its release into the air over the next few years.

This is a step in the right direction, but new regulations and harsher penalties should be implemented to ensure that everyone in Canada is living in safe conditions.

Regulations in Progress

Chemical Valley and a Brazilian success story that may inspire ideas for how Canada’s government can help the people of Aamjiwnaang (EcoJustice)

After the first official Aamjiwnaang study was released demonstrating the unacceptable air quality, there was a large push for a bill to go through that would tackle environmental racism. The bill would require the federal government to collect data on environmental hazards and further study the link between race and health. Unfortunately, when the government called for an early election this past year, the bill was forgotten.

The government is currently working towards a rule that would enforce tight restrictions on the quantity of emissions a company can produce, and force companies to share their emissions data with the affected First Nations communities. This would be a great way to ensure that companies be held responsible for their emissions and make them see firsthand what the consequences of their actions are.

One resident of Aamjiwnaang stated that she would like to see all industries in Chemical Valley updating their machinery to top-of-the-line safe equipment to ensure leaks are prevented and air pollution is minimized, no matter the cost. Seeing as these factories operate on land that was taken from the ancestral Aamjiwnaang Peoples, this upgrade should be enforced without question.

“I don’t care how much it costs. That is my child’s safety.”
Aamjiwnaang mother (on industries updating their equipment)

The Fight for Policy Change

“If I fed you arsenic every day… I’m poisoning you. You could charge me.
These companies, they’re leaking things everyday, and slowly doing harm, and they just seem to be getting a slap on the wrist or nothing at all.
Because we have to prove it. Then we have to prove which company. But there’s so many, how can you point out one?”
Ada Lockridge

When you make any internet search about chemical toxicology in Aamjiwnaang, a name that will appear multiple times is “Ada Lockridge”.

The Aamjiwnaang resident is a long time activist for racial injustice in Chemical Valley, and has fought for government action for much of her life.

Any time there is a call to action to improve safety in Aamjiwnaang, you can be sure that Ada is involved.

Another important factor in the fight for equality in the Aamjiwnaang reserve is EcoJustice, a charity that fights for change in environmental law and regulations. They tackle environmental issues and racism by filing lawsuits and instigating legal action.

Since Indigenous People are key environmental stewards for their ancestral lands, EcoJustice often works alongside them and helps fight for their causes.

If you are passionate about combatting environmental racism and protecting the environment, EcoJustice is an incredible charity to support.

Donate Now

“Ecojustice was created to fight — and win — for our planet in court. Powered by a dedicated community of supporters, we’re leading the legal fight for a brighter environmental future.
EcoJustice, About Page

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