Waste-management systems…

Waste-management systems that transport and store waste, in particular, asbestos waste, hazardous waste and biomedical waste have the potential to cause serious harm to the natural environment and human health.

Exposure to asbestos can cause serious health impacts, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Hazardous waste includes substances which are classified as “toxic substances” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and includes metals such as arsenic and chromium that, which are listed as human carcinogens by the International Agency for the Research on Cancer.

Biomedical waste can be infectious or biohazardous and can potentially lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

There is no justification for these proposed amendments, they are ill conceived.

Indigenous organizations claim that consultation on these amendments have not been sufficient!

These proposals will only increase hazardous waste dumping. There is already poor compliance rate in hazardous waste management and coupled with ineffective and weak enforcement we are putting our communities at great risk! Any delay claimed as rationale for these changes have not been analyzed fully - is delay from the Applicant perspective or is it a result of lack of government resources? Does it really address delays or increase risk?

I strongly oppose these proposed amendments and strongly urge you to NOT PROCEED ON THESE PROPOSALS!