North Bay officials helped Industrial Plastics Canada secure $2.1 million in government funding despite public unease over the company's use of potentially hazardous chemicals.
Leah Borts-Kuperman reports for The Narwhal.
In short:
- City staff guided Industrial Plastics Canada in securing provincial funding, inviting company leaders to social events and reassuring residents about safety despite incomplete environmental permits.
- PTFE, a chemical used in Teflon and linked to environmental risks, is central to operations at the factory, which began production in October 2023.
- Critics, including local citizens and environmental advocates, have voiced concerns about inadequate transparency and oversight.
Key quote:
"The ethics of the situation look shabby. The response of the city officials in particular doesn’t pass the smell test."
— Arthur Schafer, ethicist
Why this matters:
The handling of public funds and environmental oversight raises questions about accountability. PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are linked to long-lasting contamination, potentially affecting ecosystems and public health in the region.
Related EHN coverage: Op-Ed: Closing the plastic tap
