What is "STACKWATCH" ?
Stackwatch is a movement which
- encourages citizens to speak out about local air-quality and water-quality concerns
- encourages the MECP to enforce existing environmental regulations
- encourages the MECP to build and operate a robust and independent air-quality monitoring system
History
The 20th century spawned industrial growth globally and the resulting rise of industrial pollution. This in turn spawned the rise of labour unions which were formed to protect the health and safety of the workers. Throughout the 1900's the "solution to pollution is dilution" became the answer to the problem of "air pollution". That "solution" is no longer acceptable nor sustainable. Pollution must be stopped at it's source.
Locally, air quality became a political issue in 2007 when our local MP called on the community to lobby the MOE (MECP) to do more rigorous enforcement of existing regulations and to install more/better monitoring systems. (ref. www.sootoday.com/local-news/bay-view-air-quality-dalton-dave-do-diddly-112411). To this date, little or none of this has happened.
In 2018, Noront Resources announced that it was seeking a community to host its proposed ferrochrome smelting facility and that Sault Ste Marie was one of 4 possible locations. This unexpected announcement ignited a renewed local discussion about air quality and industrial emissions.
In May 2019, Noront announced that the Sault had been chosen for the proposed smelter and that Noront had signed an agreement with ASI Inc for the smelter to be located on ASI property. The City's leaders assured the community that no smelter would be built unless a proper EA (Environmental Assessment) were to be done and that the EA process would assure the community that the new smelter would not present any risk to the community. A proper EA would require an rigorous assessment of local air quality which cannot happen without more independent air-monitoring stations.
The 20th century spawned industrial growth globally and the resulting rise of industrial pollution. This in turn spawned the rise of labour unions which were formed to protect the health and safety of the workers. Throughout the 1900's the "solution to pollution is dilution" became the answer to the problem of "air pollution". That "solution" is no longer acceptable nor sustainable. Pollution must be stopped at it's source.
Locally, air quality became a political issue in 2007 when our local MP called on the community to lobby the MOE (MECP) to do more rigorous enforcement of existing regulations and to install more/better monitoring systems. (ref. www.sootoday.com/local-news/bay-view-air-quality-dalton-dave-do-diddly-112411). To this date, little or none of this has happened.
In 2018, Noront Resources announced that it was seeking a community to host its proposed ferrochrome smelting facility and that Sault Ste Marie was one of 4 possible locations. This unexpected announcement ignited a renewed local discussion about air quality and industrial emissions.
In May 2019, Noront announced that the Sault had been chosen for the proposed smelter and that Noront had signed an agreement with ASI Inc for the smelter to be located on ASI property. The City's leaders assured the community that no smelter would be built unless a proper EA (Environmental Assessment) were to be done and that the EA process would assure the community that the new smelter would not present any risk to the community. A proper EA would require an rigorous assessment of local air quality which cannot happen without more independent air-monitoring stations.
What is STACKWATCHSSM?
In April 2021 the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) hosted a webinar for local environmental leaders to discuss air quality issues in the Sault.
During that webinar a guest representative from "Environment Hamilton" described a program called "STACKWATCHHAMILTON" which was formed in 2007 to deal with their local air-quality issues. Stackwatch Hamilton has evolved into Environment Hamilton. Stackwatchssm is modelled after their program.
(https://www.environmenthamilton.org/)
(http://environmenthamilton.hamiltoncatch.org/view/page/stackwatch_keys)
In April 2021 the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) hosted a webinar for local environmental leaders to discuss air quality issues in the Sault.
During that webinar a guest representative from "Environment Hamilton" described a program called "STACKWATCHHAMILTON" which was formed in 2007 to deal with their local air-quality issues. Stackwatch Hamilton has evolved into Environment Hamilton. Stackwatchssm is modelled after their program.
(https://www.environmenthamilton.org/)
(http://environmenthamilton.hamiltoncatch.org/view/page/stackwatch_keys)
Why now?
Stackwatchssm is responding to the invitation from MECP Minister Yurek...
MECP PRESS RELEASE (MAY 19,2021)
“TORONTO — The Ontario government is launching a new user-friendly online tool so the public can conveniently report incidents of pollution in real-time from a smartphone. The new digital solution will mean photos and videos can be uploaded immediately so staff can respond quickly and effectively to keep communities safe.
“Our government takes environmental violations very seriously and has zero tolerance for illegal polluters ... That’s why we made a commitment in our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan to develop digital solutions that will improve public reporting of pollution and ministry response times,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister MECP.
To report industrial emissions (smoke, dust, smell or noise) visit www.ontario.ca/reportpollution and fill out a simple form."
MECP PRESS RELEASE (MAY 19,2021)
“TORONTO — The Ontario government is launching a new user-friendly online tool so the public can conveniently report incidents of pollution in real-time from a smartphone. The new digital solution will mean photos and videos can be uploaded immediately so staff can respond quickly and effectively to keep communities safe.
“Our government takes environmental violations very seriously and has zero tolerance for illegal polluters ... That’s why we made a commitment in our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan to develop digital solutions that will improve public reporting of pollution and ministry response times,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister MECP.
To report industrial emissions (smoke, dust, smell or noise) visit www.ontario.ca/reportpollution and fill out a simple form."
