Metals in the Sudbury Environment

Public Advisory Committee - Meeting #1

February 25, 2002 – 7:00 p.m.

President’s Boardroom – Cambrian College

 

 

Attendees:     Norris Artuso             Joe Cimino             John Hogenbirk

                        Gary Hrystak             Nancy Keller            Larry McGregor

                        Steve Reitzel             Jennifer Santerre    Ivan Filion

 

Absent:           Rubina Nebenionquit

 

TC Members: Mark Butler                Rob Campbell         Pat Thompson

 Brian McMahon          Ido Vettoretti            Bill Lautenbach

 

Absent:            Charlie Loftus

 

Guests:            Max Kasper              Kathy McDonald

 

 

Process Observer:  Franco Mariotti

Chair:                         Ivan Filion

Recorder:                  Julie Sabourin

 

1.0       CALL TO ORDER

 

2.0        ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

 

There were no additions to the agenda.

 

3.0       NEW BUSINESS

 

3.1            Welcome from the Chair & Introductions

 

The Chair welcomed all participants to this inaugural meeting of the Public Advisory Committee.  All participants were asked to introduce themselves with members of the PAC providing a brief background history as to the expertise they were bringing to the table.

 

The Chair provided members of the PAC with a historical perspective as to the inception of the Technical Committee and the roles and responsibilities of the members of the PAC which is to interface with the public at large.  Several times throughout the meeting the role of the members of the PAC was reinforced indicating that they were not in a position to make any decisions, only to comment/advise the TC as to their observations of documents and provide suggestions as to how to best facilitate the process of keeping the public informed of the Human Health Risk Assessment and the Ecological Risk Assessment (HHRA/ERA). It was felt the definition of the role of the PAC was very important so as to protect the PAC from any liability.

 

The PAC were also informed that members of the TC would be a resource to this Committee.

 

The Chair also informed the group that it would be expected they would elect a Chair from within their own group and that he, at this time, will retain the position of interim chair during their orientation and initial development.

 

3.3            Background to PAC from Ministry of Environment            

 

Brian McMahon provided the group with an informative presentation on the background of events to date from the Ministry of the Environment’s perspective and also outlined the project plan.

 

3.4            Companies’ Role

 

Glen Watson and Marc Butler provided the group with an overview of the role of INCO Ltd. and Falconbridge Ltd. regarding the project and events to date.  They also informed the group of the process, methodology and reasoning behind the sampling program.   They also indicated their financial responsibilities to the process.

 

3.5            Other Agencies’ Roles

 

Ido Vettoretti, the representative from the Sudbury & District Health Unit, informed the group that the role of the Health Unit in this process is to ensure the public is aware of the potential of any health risk by recognizing the risk, evaluating the potential of the risk and ensuring the remediation of any risks identified, in an open and transparent manner.

 

Bill Lautenback, the representative from the City of Greater Sudbury, indicated their role was to establish linkages with the community, health care professionals and City council via Health & Social Services which has a mandate for daycares and community parks. The City is also committed to providing assistance/resources to ensure information delivered to the public is developed in such a way as can be understood by the public.

 

In the absence, of Charlie Loftus of Health Canada, Brian McMahon explained that Charlie was their representative responsible for the First Nations and their role was to develop an understanding what is going on and the effect regarding the First Nations communities.

 

Franco Mariotti, the Process Observer, indicated that a goal is to avoid the perception of the companies doing a controlled study for which he has a distinctive role providing and ensuring impartiality.

 

3.6            General Discussion                                                                

 

Following these dissertations, the Chair reinforced to the PAC that their role is that of a sounding board and they are not expected to provide any scientific evidence or critique.  They also are not approving the actions of the TC, but to represent the potential public concerns.

 

The PAC were also informed that all documents prepared by either the companies and/or agencies are all peer reviewed.  As well, the companies have hired an independent consultant to complete the preparation of the documents, which at this time is the development of the Request for Proposal. 

 

3.2            Draft PAC Terms of Reference

 

The PAC were told that this document has been approved by the TC, but needs to be endorsed by the PAC.  It was requested that the PAC review this document and be prepared to discuss any additional modifications they feel necessary at their next meeting.  Members were also informed that they were welcome to attend the meetings of the TC as observers.

Action:  Members of PAC review Terms of Reference for

endorsement at next meeting.

 

It was noted that the role of the PAC Chair needed to be better defined in the TC Terms of Reference so as to remove that person from any liability.

Action:  TC review their Terms of Reference

 

3.7            March 11, 2002 HHRA Seminar                                            

 

Representatives from the companies are in the process of preparing a workshop for the benefit of the members of the TC and the PAC to inform them of what is involved with a Risk Assessment and provide an opportunity to bring together the various expectations of the results of that Assessment.  To this end, the seminar has been scheduled for March 11, 2002.  The company representatives will be forwarding additional information and outline of the sessions for the benefit of all participants.

Action:  Companies to provide participants with agenda.

 

3.8            MOE Data Reports        

 

The group were informed that the MOE and the companies have collected almost 10,000 samples over the past year and the intent of the MOE is to bring this information together in five or six reports which will be released to the committees over the next couple of months.  At this time these documents are not for public consumption and it will be up to the PAC to advise on how to best organize it in a coherent fashion for the benefit and information of the public.

 

            Introduction of PAC to Public: This raised the question as to how and when the members and the role of the PAC will be introduced to the public.  It was agreed that a News Release might be the best way to address this issue.

Action: TC Working Group to develop News Release.

 

4.0            ADDENDUM

 

            4.1            Additional Information Documents

 

Several documents were distributed to the members of the PAC as part of their orientation.  The were:

 

1.            Minutes of the Technical Committee

            i)            Human Health Risk Assessment             Meeting #1

            ii)                                                                     Meeting #2

            iii)                                                                    Meeting #3

            iv)                                                                    Meeting #4

            v)            Technical Committee                              Meeting #5

2.            Public Advisory Committee Terms of Reference

3.            Technical Committee Terms of Reference

4.            Process Observer Roles and Responsibilities

5.            Flow of Activities

                        i)                        Chart

                        ii)                        Definitions

 

 

 

5.0       NEXT MEETING

 

5.1            Meeting Schedule & Frequency

 

The next meeting of the PAC is scheduled for April 2, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at in the President’s Boardroom at Cambrian College.

Action:  Members of PAC to determine regular schedule of meetings.

 

6.0            ADJOURNMENT

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

            _______________________________                      _____________________________

                        Chair, Ivan Filion                                                        Recorder, Julie Sabourin