POINTE-CLAIRE – Defying expectations, the Reliance Power Equipment company made a deadline Friday morning set by the provincial government to submit a clean-up plan for hazardous chemicals on the site.
“We’re doing it in stages, I’ve spoken to the government, we’ve gotten permission to do it the way we want to do it,” said Harry Baikowitz, a waste consultant working with Reliance. He added that the first part should be done within two weeks.
Despite assertions to the contrary, officials in Pointe-Claire are skeptical the company has the resources to meet its obligations.
“We hope that this does not constitute a stalling tactic, and an undue delay to the detriment of the population,” said Bill McMurchie, the city mayor.
Controversy erupted earlier this week after the Journal de Montreal published a report revealing that electric transformers containing hazardous and illegal chemicals were being stored at the Reliance lot after the company had been involved in two spills earlier this year. Residents have voiced environmental concerns.
The chemicals, known as PCBs, were a popular component in coolants used for motors and transformers from after the Second World War to the late seventies. The Canadian government banned their use over concerns they were toxic and carcinogenic, and is working through a gradual process of destroying them.
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