Residents of Chatham-Kent and Leamington are being given a chance to learn more and ask questions about abandoned gas wells in the region.
Chatham-Kent—Leamington MP Dave Epp is set to host a community town hall on the topic.
Epp said residents will learn more about what exactly abandoned gas wells are and where they are, as well as what residents should be aware of and where they can get help.
According to Epp, he originally intended to host the meeting over a year ago.
"This is a meeting that we had hoped to host over a year ago," he said. "We were in the early stages of planning that. Then, of course, the Wheatley explosion happened. We wanted to give some time for that to settle down. Our office has been fielding calls on this issue virtually since I've been elected."
Epp said the interest in the topic has only increased since August 26, 2021, when a massive explosion at the site of a hydrogen sulphide leak rocked downtown Wheatley. Several buildings were destroyed and multiple people were injured.
According to Epp, southwestern Ontario is home to hundreds of old oil and gas wells.
Epp said the purpose of the meeting isn't to cause any alarm but rather to to be proactive, and make sure residents know how to better prepare themselves if they have any wells on their property.
He added that due to the ongoing litigation surrounding the Wheatley explosion, the meeting won't be going into any specifics surrounding the situation in Wheatley.
"I'm doing this more as a role as an MP for the community because our office receives so many calls," he said. "People don't know what municipal, what's provincial and what's federal so all those questions will be answered at this meeting. "
The town hall meeting takes place t the Leamington Roma Club on August 25 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
