‘Status quo is not sustainable’: Port Hope convenes meeting to tackle concerns with PHAI project

‘Outstanding issues related to the PHAI have come to a head in a way that is having a real impact on property owners’: Mayor

A heavy truck is seen here near Port Hope Town Hall. Addressing wear on municipal roads and infrastructure from high-than-anticipated truck traffic through the PHAI project is one area of concern that was a focus during a recent senior leaders meeting. /Sarah Hyatt photo

By reporter Natalie Hamilton

Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivksy says she recently convened a meeting to bring key senior officials to the table to discuss “community concerns and project accountability” around the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) cleanup.

On July 20, on behalf of the municipality, Hankivsky said she convened the meeting with presidents and senior representatives from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), as well as Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini, and other stakeholders to address key community concerns regarding the PHAI.

The municipality stated this is the first time such a meeting has taken place.

Hankivsky, who requested the meeting through a letter co-signed by Piccini, emphasized the need for greater accountability, transparency and co-ordination among project partners.

“Outstanding issues related to the PHAI have come to a head in a way that is having a real impact on property owners and public confidence in the project,” said Hankivsky, in a statement.

The discussion “reinforced what our community has been saying for some time – residents want clarity, accountability and confidence in how decisions are being made. We need a co-ordinated approach from all project partners, with clearly defined roles, transparent communication, and a shared commitment to resolving the issues that continue to affect property owners and the broader community,” she said.

“The status quo is not sustainable.”

Hankivsky called the meeting “an important step toward establishing a path forward with clear actions, defined responsibilities and measurable progress.”

Discussion focused on four priority issues identified by the municipality, as brought forward directly from residents and through members of council:

• Clean-up criteria: Finalizing clean-up standards and ensuring residents are not subject to future remediation requirements once properties are deemed complete.

• Council also reiterated concerns regarding the pursuit of naturally occurring arsenic and the associated impacts on the community’s tree canopy.

• Lender concerns related to contamination records: Addressing barriers faced by property owners and prospective buyers when contamination information reported to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks affects financing, refinancing, or property transactions.

• Compliance letters and homeowner assurances: Clarifying how compliance documentation will provide long-term assurances around health, safety, liability and property value implications under various site-specific circumstances.

• Municipal infrastructure impacts: Addressing increased wear on municipal roads and infrastructure resulting from higher-than-anticipated truck traffic, project sites, and soil volumes.

As a result of the meeting, AECL and CNL committed to developing a roadmap, to be reviewed by the CNSC, to address issues raised by the municipality, according to a press release.

The organizations also committed to improving communications and increasing the visibility and accessibility of senior leadership within the community, according to municipal officials.

In addition, they agreed to enhance direct engagement with council through future delegations to provide greater clarity on governance structures, decision-making processes, and project updates, reads the municipality’s release.

Hankivsky and Port Hope CAO Mike Melinyshyn advocated for a legacy fund to recognize the long-term impacts of the project on the Municipality of Port Hope.

The municipality said it looks forward to continued engagement with senior leaders and government officials to advance solutions discussed and ensure that community concerns remain at the forefront of decision-making.

“Today’s meeting represents an important first step toward restoring public confidence, strengthening accountability, and delivering the successful conclusion to one of the most complex and large-scale environmental remediation projects in Canadian history,” Port Hope’s release read.

Editor’s note: The Independent will follow-up this article with more in-depth coverage.