Strict benzene pollution controls on all Sarnia petrochemical companies have been extended for two years.
The Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) announced on Tuesday, May 28 the initial 14-day timeframe on protections, introduced in an Interim Order earlier this month, would officially be lengthened.
Steven Guilbeault said a stronger, healthier Canada is being built for our children and grandchildren by reducing air pollution, fighting climate change, and ensuring clean air.
"The Aamjiwnaang First Nation has been living with poor air quality for too long, and earlier this year, those conditions were compounded by spikes of the carcinogen benzene," Guilbeault said. "Given the significant risks to human life and health, action was required."
He said that's why he took the unprecedented actio, granted by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in 1999, to issue an Interim Order to mitigate toxic benzene emissions.
"Today, I can announce that the 14-day order has been formally extended by the Government of Canada for up to two years. The extension of the order ensures petrochemical facilities in the Sarnia area continue to limit releases of cancer-causing benzene emissions," he said.
As Guilbeault reiterated, the order works in tandem with actions taken by the Government of Ontario.
"Clean air is one of the environmental realities that should define living in Canada. Elements of the Interim Order are based on the Government of Canada's draft Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Regulations, which were published in February 2024 following consultations with the petroleum and petrochemical industries, First Nations, and provincial and territorial governments. Our work for clean air is ongoing. The Government of Canada expects to finalize and publish the regulations by the winter of 2024–2025; they will permanently apply protections across Canada," he said.
Ontario suspended INEOS Styrolution's Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) after Aamjiwnaang First Nation members reported elevated levels of benzene made people feel ill on April 16.
The First Nation declared a state of emergency after, and issued its own Notice of Violation against INEOS Styrolution and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) seeking immediate remediation of benzene emissions on May 3.
INEOS is appealing the provincial sanctions placed on its Tashmoo Avenue facility.