Sudbury Soils Study

Public Advisory Committee - Meeting #15

June 22, 2004 – 5:30 p.m.

Gold Room – Science North

 

 

Attendees:            Irma Chiesa               Kim Edgington                      John Hogenbirk        

Gary Hrytsak             Aino Laamanen                     Paul St. Jean             Bob Somek                           Carol Zippel              

                                                                                            

Process Observer: Franco Mariotti

 

Absent:                  Darrell Alston             Rubina Nebenionquit           

 

Regrets:                 Ersin Abdullah          Joe Cimino               

                                   

TC Members:        Marc Butler                Brian McMahon                     Stephen Monet

Ido Vettoretti              Glen Watson                         

 

SARA Group:       Elliot Sigal

           

Chair:                     John Hogenbirk

Recorder:              Julie Sabourin

 

 

Public (7)

 

1.0       CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. following dinner.  The Chair welcomed guests and media present. Prospective members Kim Edgington and Irma Chiesa were introduced to the PAC.

 

15-2004         Moved by Hrytsak – St. Jean: That Kim Edgington and Irma Chiesa be accepted as new members to the PAC.        CARRIED

 

2.0       INTRODUCTIONS

 

All PAC and WG/TC members present introduced themselves to the public in attendance.

 

3.0       DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

None.

 

 

 

 

4.0       OPEN FORUM

 

Discussion ensued over the protocol of asking to be placed on the PAC agenda. Following that discussion Mr. Homer Seguin asked to speak to the committee:

 

4.1       Homer Seguin – Mr. Seguin expressed his concern that the PAC was a front for the TC and asked that they take issue with the TC over items of controversy. The Chair responded by indicating the PAC represents the community at large and is not their mouthpiece. Mr. Seguin also felt that the message “no immediate health concerns” was misleading and stated that it was wrong to give false information. Brian McMahon responded that this message addresses important concerns from the public when they ask “Can my kids play in the parks? Can I still eat my vegetables? “

 

5.0       REPORT ON QUESTIONS/ISSUES RAISED AT THE LAST PAC MEETING

 

            5.1       Status of Dr. Ron Brecher

 

            In response to the request at the last meeting to review Dr. Brecher’s role as a Scientific Reviewer, Brian responded that the TC continues to endorse Dr. Brecher’s role as Scientific Advisor for the TC and that the TC does not believe he is in any conflict of interest. Brian also noted that Dr. Brecher is not a decision maker in the process – he provides comment and opinion.  It was requested that the witness statement prepared by Dr. Brecher be distributed as part of these minutes.  It was noted that, because of circumstance, this statement was never given in testimony. Franco noted that it would be highly unlikely to be able to hire anyone that has not had a previous affiliation with any of the companies or agencies of the TC as there is not a large pool to select from.

 

            Stephen went on to explain the protocol implemented for interaction with Dr. Brecher and the TC in that Stephen has been appointed as the individual to liaise with both parties.

 

            5.2       Clarification of Spokesperson and Responsibility for Media Releases

 

            In response to the above, it was noted that the Chris Wren of the SARA Group provides comment to the media in reference to the science of the study.  Further, the SARA Group prepares media releases, but these are reviewed prior to release by the CSC and the TC.

 

            5.3       Early Release of Selected Findings (e.g. Vegetable and Garden Survey)

 

            It was noted that the goal in distributing this information was to give full disclosure to the public that participated in the study.  The public was reassured that the SARA Group have been notified that if during the study, they come across any exceedences; these are to be reported immediately to the TC and specifically the SDHU and/or MOE.  The public were also informed that the TC is currently working on a protocol for distribution of materials and information as it becomes available.

 

 

5.4       In-Door Air Quality and Dust Monitoring

           

            Elliot Sigal provided the PAC with an overview of the SARA Group’s intentions on how to address indoor air and dust in homes.  He indicated that the TC had a discussion at their last meeting and they supported (a) using a factor to calculate indoor air metal concentrations from outdoor ambient concentrations, and (b) the collection of dust samples for the study.  The task at hand is to develop the methodology for the completion of this project for TC review and approval.

 

6.0       ADDITIONS TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

            The following items to be added to the addendum:

                        1.         IERP – Glen Watson

                        2.         E-mail received from E. Gillespie – John Hogenbirk

                        3.         Open Question Session for the Public – John Hogenbirk

 

16-2004         Moved by Zippel - Hrytsak:  That the agenda be accepted as amended.  CARRIED

 

7.0       PRESENTATION

 

            7.1       SARA Group Report

 

            Progress Report: Elliot reported that both the HHRA and ERA are moving forward.  The SARA Group is continuing to collect data, doing toxicity tests on soils, bioaccessibility, speciation of chemicals in soil and air, continuing to work on building an assessment model and developing toxicology profiles. The methodologies have now been developed and approved, the air monitoring program is ongoing and reports are now being generated.

 

            The PAC noted that feedback from the public indicates some were upset with the way the data was presented to them regarding the Vegetable Garden Survey.  As well, the PAC noted that they were not given an opportunity to peruse these letters prior to distribution to the public, which is part of their mandate.  They requested that the generic letter be provided to them for their information.

 

            Public Communication: Stephen reported that Shawna had sent him an e-mail outlining the summary of call and e-mails received from the public to date as follows:

 

- 243 contacts from 138 individuals

- 75% of the questions were general in nature/25% were regarding the Vegetable Garden Survey

 

The Chair noted that this information would be useful for the PAC to receive as a regular update, as well as the nature of the question and the response provided minus any personal information for the next meeting.

 

8.0       APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

            8.1       Minutes of Meeting #14 – May 18, 2004

 

17-2004         Moved by Somek - Zippel:  That the minutes of meeting #14 dated May 18, 2004 be approved as distributed.  CARRIED

 

9.0       BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

 

            9.1       PAC Terms of Reference – June 22, 2004

 

            This revised document was tabled to address the issue of the policy regarding the Process for Selection of New Members as well as the Reappointment of Current Members.  Not everyone at the table had the same revisions so it was decided to defer approval to the next meeting. In the interim, Julie will e-mail the items requiring revisions and feedback to be provided via this process. In reference to decisions regarding the PAC membership, legal opinion/direction was requested from the WG.

 

10.0    NEW BUSINESS

 

            10.2    PAC Social Events

 

            Members of the PAC requested that an opportunity be provided wherein they might get together in some forum as a group to discuss amongst themselves PAC issues.  They questioned the appropriateness of such a get together and were supported by both the WG and the IPO.  It was agreed Julie would make arrangements for early August.

 

10.1    Release of Soils Data to the Public

 

            Brian indicated that the SARA Group is in the final stages of preparing the MOE urban data results and the LU rural results for release to the public.  He stated that the PAC has now had an opportunity to provide their feedback to the Executive Summary and it is expected this report will be released in mid-July.  They are currently in the process of obtaining the French translation of this document and preparing key messages for media releases. He also informed the group that copies of the Executive Summary and data would be made available on CD at all local libraries and MOE offices. Brian noted that this is interim data and that the final, complete study report would not be available until the end of 2005.

 

11.0    TC MEETINGS

 

11.1    Minutes of TC Meeting:    #30 March 11, 2004

                                                            #31 May 13, 2004

                                                            #32 June 10, 2004 (Draft)

 

These minutes were tabled for information.

 

12.0    ADDENDUM

 

            12.1    Independent Expert Review Panel (IERP)

 

            Glen explained to the group the process the TC adopted to obtain submissions.  He informed the PAC that five groups had been sent a letter of interest and we have received only two responses to date.  He indicated that the WG were following up to determine why only two responses were received so that we might broaden the pool.  Once this group has been established, an RFP will be sent to them and the final group will be chosen from those responses.

 

12.3    Open Question Session

 

Mr. Seguin again requested an opportunity to speak.  He reiterated his concerns regarding the message “no immediate problems”.  He also reiterated his concerns regarding Dr. Brecher to which the WG responded that the issue had been adequately dealt with.

 

            12.2    E-mail from E. Gillespie

 

The Chair forwarded the e-mail received in which Mr. Gillespie suggested Dr. David Chambers as an alternate to Dr. Brecher.

 

12.4    Resignation

 

The Chair informed the group that Ivan Filion has officially tendered his resignation.

 

13.0    NEXT MEETING

 

            It was agreed to cancel the July 20^th meeting and re-convene on September 21^st.  It was requested that Shawna research another ward and location for our next meeting.

 

11.0    ADJOURNMENT

 

14-2004         Moved by Zippel – Somek: That this meeting be adjourned at 10:15 p.m.  CARRIED

 

 

 

_______________________________              _____________________________

                        Chair, John Hogenbirk                                             Recorder, Julie Sabourin