During Question Period on Oct. 4, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas questioned Premier Kathleen Wynne regarding CN cleanup of the remaining oil in the Makami River near Gogama.
On March 7 of 2015, an eastbound CN train carrying crude oil in 35 cars jumped the rail and spilled into the river, which burst into flames just three kilometres from town. No injuries were reported and no evacuation was needed.
On Oct.1, the Algoma District Municipal Association, comprised of 20 municipalities in the Algoma District, unanimously passed a resolution calling on the provincial government to direct CN Rail to clean up the rivers, streams and wilderness area surrounding the Gogama derailment and spill site, and that such cleanup be to a standard acceptable to the citizens of Gogama and Mattagami First Nation.
“I have asked this government to act, but they won’t. I don’t get it. It will not cost the province anything. When will this government do the right thing for our water today and for the safety of our water for generations to come?”
The residents of Gogama and the Mattagami First Nation have decided to hold a protest on Highway 144 on Oct. 10.
Citizens hope to draw attention to the environmental crisis, and gain public support to force the Liberal government to act.
“On Monday, Highway 144 will be very busy with its usual truck traffic, families heading home after the Thanksgiving holiday, students returning to school, along with hundreds of hunters who will be in the area since it is hunting season,” said Gélinas.
“Instead of forcing citizens to take this action to have their voices heard, why doesn’t the government order CN to clean up, using companies already on the ground, ready to go in Gogama?”
Despite the concern, a CN environmental officer told Timmins city council back in September that clean up efforts since the March 7, 2105, spill have been extensive.
"I've been on site, basically since the beginning," said Aaron Stadnyk. "I can assure you CN's level of commitment to this overall unfortunate incident."
He said that when the derailment occurred last March, CN "basically responded immediately."
"We basically had expertise, and a number of assets en route within hours. We took immediate measures to contain the oil within the Makami River. In fact, we had our first booms in place containing the oil likely in under 8 hours" he said.
He said remedial efforts by CN included a 'very large' excavation project, as well as a 'very in depth' collection project.
"Currently, we are looking at our analytical data, and we believe, and the data speaks for it, that there is a very small, if not residual amount of oil that still remains at the site," said Stadnyk.
