space Press Releases, News Stories

by Jim Patrick, Kirkland Lake Gazette

TCI lawyer Michael Zarin in New York state, said the company had the understanding from federal and provincial authorities in Canada that it could import and process the waste.

But, "Japan isn't part of Canada, the last we heard," said John Steele, spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

The ministry has stopped TCI from importing foreign waste and the process is currently under appeal. Meanwhile, the Kirkland Lake company is barred from accepting any waste from outside the country.

How did the misconception arise?

"It wouldn't be productive to point fingers," said Mr. Zarin who still has to deal with MOE officials and with the Environmental Assessment Board which is set to hear a TCI appeal May 8.

"There's a certain disagreement at this point and everybody's trying to cover 'their you-know-what'," the lawyer said.

Although the Japanese shipment was barred, hazardous waste does come into Canada.

Ministry spokesman Steele admitted, "It's no secret waste comes into Ontario from Michigan on a regular basis under free trade rules and goes to a hazardous waste landfill near Sarnia. So it's not forbidden in Ontario," said Mr. Steele.

"But here we're talking about a specific waste containing PCBs. The U.S. does not allow PCB waste to be imported or exported. We're not doing anything here which the U.S. would not do."

Mr. Zarin said his company got caught in a political crossfire with groups concerned about the increase in landfilling from the U.S. Concerning the current controversy over the Japanese shipment, Mr. Zarin said the issue will quiet down once the fate of the waste is determined.

"We will continue prosecuting our appeal with the Environmental Appeal Board and hope that once cooler heads prevail, we'll have more constructive and productive discussions," he said.