Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 9, 2007
Baird coming with cash for Randle Reef cleanup
April 27, 2002
Canadian Environment Minister John Baird is expected to announce a $30-million federal contribution to the $90-million cleanup of Randle Reef tomorrow.
Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson, a New Democrat, is so certain of the news he said: “Fantastic! Finally. Hooray. Let’s get on with it.”
Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who said he wasn’t sure why Baird is coming, also said, “I’ll be there Friday and I expect to hear good news.”
With $30 million promised by Premier Dalton McGuinty during the recent provincial election campaign, a federal commitment would clear the way to cap and contain enough toxic mud to fill Copps Coliseum to the roof three times.
It’s a significant issue because Randle Reef is the second-worst case of coal-tar contamination in Canada after the tar ponds in Sydney, N.S. And it is the biggest remaining obstacle to getting the harbour off the International Joint Commission’s list of Great Lakes pollution hot spots.
The final $30 million is expected to come from the Hamilton Port Authority and in-kind donations from industry and other local sources with an interest in creating an eight-hectare peninsula for cargo storage and two new shipping piers. (Source: The Hamilton Spectator)