Sudbury Soils Study

Public Advisory Committee - Meeting #11

November 18, 2003 – 6:30 p.m.

Koski Centre - Cambrian College

 

 

Attendees:                 Joe Cimino                              Ivan Filion                    John Hogenbirk                                                                                   Gary Hrytsak                           Aino Laamanen           Dino Maserio              

Paul St. Jean                           Carmen Wabagejik                                                    

                                                                                            

Process Observer: Franco Mariotti

 

Absent:                       Norris Artuso              

                                   

TC Members:            Marc Butler                              Dick DeStefano                       Gord Hall        

Brian McMahon                       Stephen Monet                        Mary Ellen Starodub   

Ido Vettoretti                            Glen Watson                           Ed Wierzbicki

 

SARA Group:             Shawana Peddle                     Chris Wren                             Jan Linquist

           

Chair:                          Ivan Filion

Recorder:                  Julie Sabourin

 

Public (35)

 

1.0       CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. following dinner.  The Chair expressed his appreciation for the number of public that were in attendance.  He indicated time would be made available during the last half hour of the meeting for the public to address the committee.  As well he invited them to interface with committee members following the meeting.  Members of the PAC, TC and SARA Group then introduced themselves to the public in attendance.

 

2.0       DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

None.

 

3.0       ADDITIONS TO/APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

10-2003 Moved by Hrystak – Cimino:  That the agenda be approved as presented.  CARRIED

 

4.0       APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

            4.1       Minutes of Meeting #10 – September 16, 2003

 

It was requested that item 5.3 - Progress Report from the SARA Group be amended to indicate PAC support, but this observation required a decision by the scientific experts.  Therefore the following change was noted:

 

One request was if the PAC agreed there was enough profile with the Vegetable Garden Survey. The PAC supported the TC/SARA decision in this regard as it was reported there was a cross-section of the Study area incorporated into the documentation. 

11-2003           Moved by St. Jean – Laamanen:  That the minutes of meeting #10 dated September 16, 2003 be approved as amended.  CARRIED

 

5.0       BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

 

            5.1       Recruitment of PAC Members- Update from TC

 

            Marc informed the Committee that an ad is in the newspaper and submission of applications closed at the end of November.  Applicants are asked to forward their resumes to Ivan. The PAC were also informed that he would ensure applications that had been submitted with the PAC was at full complement be forwarded to Ivan as well for consideration.

 

Following discussion as to the next steps, it was agreed that the short listing and selection would be deferred until after the next meeting at which time the PAC is required to review and/or revise their Terms of Reference.

Action:  Marc to notify respondents as to delay in process.

Marc to forward criteria to Ivan.

PAC to review Terms of Reference.

 

5.2       PAC Annual Report

 

            The Chair tabled a draft for review.  He asked members of the PAC to review the document further and provide him with comments electronically.  He noted two outstanding issues that need to be addressed during discussions surrounding the Terms of Reference.  They are the role of the PAC and membership as noted above.

 

            Suggestions forthcoming requested a statement be incorporated indicating the Chair is not a voting member of the TC and that PAC members are invited to attend TC meetings at any time.  It was also requested that the dates noted in items 5 and 6 be chronological.

 

            PAC Questionnaire:  The Chair had issued electronically a questionnaire and he asked that these be completed as they will form part of the report.

Action: Chair to incorporate comments.

PAC to approve final report in January.

 

            5.3       Progress Report from the SARA Group

 

Chris informed the group of the next Open House to be held on November 25^th at the Cavern at Science North from 3 to 9 p.m.  Shawna and Chris then reviewed the slides of the boards that will be on display.  Several comments were provided. and she requested any additional feedback by end of day tomorrow. Shawna indicated that she would like to see these slides on the website for the information of all who would not be able to attend the open house.

 

Status of Scientific Reviewers: Brian informed the PAC that Stella Swanson and Ron Brecher have been selected by the TC as the scientific reviewers for the Study.  To address the issue with regard to a conflict of interest, Brian indicated he received a letter from Mr. Brecher that clarifies his position with INCO as well as his responsibilities to the scientific community. He informed the PAC that the TC deliberated at length and came to the conclusion that his opinions/comments would not be compromised.  Brian also indicated he would invite Mr. Brecher to the next PAC meeting in January if he is available.

Action:  Brian to invite scientific reviewers to January PAC meeting.

Explanation of Discrepancy with Lab Results: Again correspondence was received in this regard from both laboratories involved with the sampling results and which confirms that both labs followed the same methodology and that all results are within acceptable standards. Brian explained that to be conservative – the higher levels will be used. Chris indicated that SARA will be taking these discrepancies into consideration and ensure the appropriate values are used throughout the Study.

 

6.0       NEW BUSINESS

 

6.1       Independent International Expert Panel

 

The PAC were informed that the TC is currently working on the criteria and Terms of Reference for the selection of these members.  It was explained that the TC is currently looking for outside assistance with this project and will likely obtain the services of a broker.  It was requested that two or three members of the PAC work with the Working Group to formalize the process.  The PAC agreed and Gary Hrystak, Paul St. Jean, John Hogenbirk and Joe Cimino volunteered.

 

7.0       PRESENTATIONS

 

Homer Seguin:  Mr. Seguin tabled several peer reviewed papers from the Industrial Disease Standards that were commissioned by WSIB and the Ministry of Labour. He asked that this information be incorporated into the Study.  These reports focus on the employees of the mining industry. He left the reports with the Chair to copy for the information of the Study team. 

 

Chris responded by indicated he has an extensive library of documents but asked for an opportunity to review those tabled by Mr. Seguin to ensure he was aware of the information contained therein.  He also indicated that occupational exposure is considered a sub-population of this Study as the focus still remains on the environment and the entire community at large.  In fact, he noted, we have raised the bar by including children, their playgrounds, etc.

 

            Eric Gillespie: Mr. Gillespie again reiterated his request for scientific support for the PAC.  He also thought that various other communities of interest should be involved with the PAC.

 

            John Fera: Mr. Fera queried the rules of procedure regarding conflict of interest and requested to be advised of same.

 

TC MEETINGS

 

7.1       Minutes of TC Meeting #26 October 2, 2003 - Revised

 

These minutes were tabled for information.  Further to the minutes it was queried as to why selenium was added a chemical of concern (CoC) and now that it is added, does this change any of the process?  It was explained that in a few instances testing has shown selenium exceeded the generic levels and it was thought to be appropriate to add it to the list for this reason.

 

Again further to the minutes, an explanation of the decision to distribute the Process Observer Report via the Northern Life was requested.  It was noted that readership was the deciding factor.

 

8.0       ADDENDUM

 

 

9.0       NEXT MEETING

 

January 20, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. – Koski Centre, Cambrian College

 

10.0     ADJOURNMENT

 

09-2003           Moved by St. Jean – Hogenbirk: That this meeting be adjourned.  CARRIED

 

 

 

 

            _______________________________                      _____________________________

                        Chair, Ivan Filion                                                         Recorder, Julie Sabourin