The Mid-Canada Line
Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre uncovering lethal
levels of toxic waste inside James Bay foodchain
Seventeen Ontario Mid-Canada Line radar sites have discharged
toxic contaminants into the environment since the Department of
National Defense (DND) abandoned the sites in the mid-1960s. The
Mid-Canada Line (MCL)
radar sites were constructed during the mid-1950’s and ceased
operations after seven years.
The sites were disabled and abandoned with no effort of decommissioning
or rehabilitation. Serious environmental and health threats persist
in the form of PCBs and other toxins which have leached from the
sites and entered the food chain.
All of the sites are situated in the traditional territories
of Northern Ontario First Nations, with the southernmost site
located near Ramore, another site south of Moosonee and the remainder
of the sites located along the shores of James and Hudson Bays.
BACKGROUND
The known discharge of contaminants from the sites includes polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum hydrocarbons, asbestos, and heavy
metals. The sites are littered with abandoned buildings, equipment
and other materials constructed as part of the DND military radar
sites.
Contaminants originated from paints, electrical equipment, diesel
and oil spills, pesticide spraying and other sources as recorded
by several investigations. Current evidence suggests that the
Government may be in violation of its own environmental legislation.
The passing of time has increased the rate and range of contamination;
toxins continue to accumulate throughout the local plants and
wildlife. Several studies have confirmed the presence of contaminants
across different levels of the food chain. The Government has
allowed the continued discharge of the contaminants into the environment
even
after publication of numerous reports outlining the environmental
and health risks associated with the Mid-Canada Line radar sites.
Since at least 1980, Mushkegowuk First Nations have pursued site
remediation.
Brian Hunter, MERC staff, hunts and tests snow
geese North of Attawapiskat.
CURRENT STATUS
Only one of these Seventeen sites, Fort Albany (050), has gone
through a cleanup process, which included the removal of equipment
and soils with high levels of contamination and the disposal of
soils with low-levels of contamination in an engineered landfill.
The other sixteen sites continue to contaminate the environment
as well as pose a health risk to First Nations people who live,
hunt, fish and trap within the vicinity of the abandoned radar
sites. At present, Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre (MERC)
is continuing the testing of wildlife and water in the affected
sites, so that effective remediation can continue. MCCO North
is pleased to partner with MERC, working at both community education,
and site testing.
At present, Mushkegowuk Environmental Research Centre (MERC)
is continuing the testing of wildlife and water in the affected
sites, so that effective remediation can continue. MCCO North
is pleased to partner with MERC, working at both community education,
and site testing.
