Another community information session is planned at Aamjiwnaang First Nation on Wednesday, September 18.
Chief Janelle Nahmabin said they'll be discussing the benzene removal process at INEOS Styrolution.
"Our council has been wanting to be sure that the community is well informed on the benzene removal process, because since April it's been a very concerning issue for Aamjiwnaang First Nation," said Nahmabin. "So, we're just making sure that we are informing our community as much as possible and sharing some of the advocacy and work that our team has been doing."
Band members will be given the opportunity to have questions and concerns answered.
"There is going to be our council, our environment department, our consultants Cathy and Scott Grant who are air pollution specialists, as well as our consultant Sharilyn Johnston who is the former environment coordinator for Aamjiwnaang. So we do have a good team coming together to share news with our community," Nahmabin said.
The gathering, at the Maawn Doosh Gumig Community Centre on Virgil Avenue, will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
INEOS announced three months ago it would be permanently closing its styrene monomer production site by June 2026.
A community meeting was held in August at Aamjiwnaang after the two phase plan to remove benzene was received by the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP).
A detailed suspension plan, including winterization measures, was submitted and approved by the MECP Director on August 14, 2024.
INEOS had pushed for more time, urging safety over speed, but its alternative plan was rejected.
INEOS started removing benzene from the Tashmoo Avenue site by pipeline during the second week of September.
The agreed upon suspension plan must be implemented within the October 16 deadline set by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
Benzene controls were issued by federal and provincial government agencies after Aamjiwnaang First Nation reported that elevated emissions made some members feel ill in April.
The First Nation declared a state of emergency afterwards, which is still in effect.