August 2014 Bulletin

Supporting the Radon Awareness and Prevention Act

CELA has sought all-party support for Bill 11, the Radon Awareness and Prevention Act, that would raise awareness about radon, establish an Ontario Radon Registry and reduce radon levels in homes and workplaces. Radon is a known carcinogen and unlike most pollution sources it is naturally occurring, arising from the decay of uranium in soil and rock. As the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada after smoking, it is responsible for 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths annually. Invisible, odourless and tasteless, this radioactive gas can only be detected via testing. Bill 11 presents a valuable opportunity to help save lives, prevent suffering and reduce healthcare costs in Ontario.

CELA’s submission to improve Environmental Assessments

CELA made a submission to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) on proposed changes to environmental assessments (EA) under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. We urged the CNSC to strengthen its EA process to support sustainable development and avoid significant adverse environmental effects by considering the need for and alternatives to proposed projects, the impact on renewable resources and eliminating restrictive timelines for public participation.

Residents file challenge against quarry dewatering approval

On behalf of Tyendinaga Township residents, CELA applied to Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal for permission to appeal the recent issuance of a water-taking permit to a local quarry operator. The permit allows the operator to pump millions of litres of water out of the Long’s Quarry in order to facilitate aggregate extraction below the water table. CELA’s clients are concerned that the massive water-taking may cause adverse impacts upon nearby private wells and surface watercourse.

Antibacterial chemicals are polluting our waterways

On the CELA blog, Consulting Co-Director of Clean Production Action, Bev Thorpe, explains why everyone needs to know about triclosan and triclocarban chemicals in their daily lives and what they can to reduce the risks.