Press Release

ILLEGAL STORAGE OF PCBS IN POINTE-CLAIRE - START OF WORK TO ELIMINATE PCB-CONTAMINATED MATERIALS

Québec City, September 26, 2013 – The Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs (MDDEFP) announced that work has begun to eliminate PCBs in Pointe-Claire. The MDDEFP’s teams acted quickly to secure the site by installing an intrusion detection system that is now operational and repairing the fence, patching holes and installing barbed wire. Operations to transfer and eliminate hazardous materials with the highest level of PCB contamination are now underway.

Elimination of hazardous materials
On September 17, Reliance Power Equipment Ltd. (hereafter “Reliance”) confirmed that it would be unable to comply with the ordinance issued on August 29. At that point, the MDDEFP took steps to mandate a specialized company to immediately implement measures to reduce risks and ensure the health and safety of the public as well as protect the environment and goods.

On September 20, a contract was awarded to Sanexen Environmental Services Inc. (hereafter “Sanexen”) to carry out the most urgent measures required: disposing of liquids and materials with a PCB concentration of over 10,000 mg/kg at an authorized site, continuing the characterization of the hazardous materials and securing three external reservoirs. Sanexen has committed to perform the work, which began yesterday, as quickly as possible. PCB-contaminated hazardous materials, which are the focus of this work, will be completely removed from the site within a maximum of 10 days. The PCBs will be disposed of at a safe location: the incinerator in Swan Hills, Alberta.

Contaminated soil
A public call for tenders will be issued in the coming weeks for soil characterization and soil decontamination scenario proposals. The characterization process should be completed by late December 2013. The MDDEFP will then issue a second public call for tenders for the decontamination work.

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