GOVERNMENT & BUREAUCRATIC INTRANGIENCE

Approximately ten months ago Dr. Henry Regier of Elmira, Ontario wrote a document titled "What's dysfunctional about the Process to Correct Environmental Pollution in Woolwich Township". Dr. Regier compares the process between what's happened here locally in Elmira surrounding the former Uniroyal Chemical contaminated site versus the 43 Areas of Concern around the Great lakes. The International Joint Commission (IJC) was involved following the passage of the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). This agreement between Canada and the United States was necessary to restore 43 horrific examples of pollution affecting the Great lakes and associated harbours, bays, rivers and cities.

Here in Elmira bureaucrats of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment have both given the company , now Chemtura Canada, free rein. The company and their consultants have set the Agenda, forged ahead without community acceptance or agreement and essentially muzzled criticism and serious , well expressed concerns for the last twenty-six years. Both local municipal and regional governments have been of limited assistance and at times have clearly felt their assistance should be towards the company not the residents. Dr. Regier describes in detail some of the tactics of both municipal councillors as well as M.O.E. personnel not to mention Chemtura and their bought and paid for consultants.

As Dr. Regier describes this dysfunctional process he also points out the inevitable reaction to it by certain local activists. These reactions include public shaming of guilty parties and colourful language and descriptions of some of the ridiculous actions and words of those guilty parties.