It appears that the cement…

It appears that the cement factory is asking for more time to comply with the Standard (apparently would not meet the Standard by the end of the 5-year period, ending December 31, 2023) and is applying for an exemption for another 10 years from now during which time it will, in stages, purchase the necessary equipment to bring the level of emitted gases under the regulated limits.

What are the provisions to ensure that the company is reducing its emissions at predetermined levels between now and the 10-year period? If the company does get approved, what is the guarantee that it will invest $100m to reduce emissions?

It also appears that it is asking to exceed the emission threshold by releasing more toxic gases (one gas 2x over the limit and another gas 4x times more) into the air.

This means that not only will residents in the area continue to be exposed to toxic gases but also be exposed to a higher dosage and over a longer period of time.

Now more than ever, we really need to take care of our environment. We know how important the environment is to the people of Ontario. We saw that when the Greenbelt was returned, because we need these spaces for our health.

In this proposal, we face another environmental threat and the danger to the health and well-being of the people residing in the area.

I would like the Ministry to show a study/data on the short-term and long-term health effects of being exposed to sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide gases at 2x more to 4x more than the allowed level.