Northern Ont. residents concerned about new plastic plant
A new plastic plant has opened on industrial land on Wallace Road in North Bay, Ont.
It is called Industrial Plastics Canada (IPC) and remanufactures plastics.
Following a viral TikTok video, some citizens have expressed concerns about the chemicals – specifically polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAs – being produced at the plant.
"Environment Canada, you know their litmus for what is safe exposure to PFAs, I think is like 30 nanograms per litre. And I think that the North Bay and the municipal area is already like 60," said James Loafs, the environmental activist who posted the video about the new plant.
"So is bringing in another PFAs plant at this point really -- or you know anything to do with PFAs at all -- in the North Bay area, is that really a smart thing to do? I would say 'no.'"
The video has been viewed more than 400,000 times on the popular social media app since it was posted four days ago.
The city is turning down any concerns people have and said the new plant is the same as any other already built.
"It’s no different than any other plant we presently have in North Bay or anywhere in northern Ontario," said North Bay mayor Peter Chirico.
"With everything that is required to be done, they’ve been following the letter of the law."
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
Area residents said they worry that the lakes in the area and municipal water will be affected by the plant.
"There is no discharge from the factory whatsoever. As a matter of fact, they’re not even hooked up to sewage," said Chirico.
"So there’s no effluent that will be discharged. They have their separate bed, which is inspected, which must be tested, all of these types of things."
No one from IPC was made available for an interview with CTV News, but the company president issued a statement.
"The North Bay IPC facility boasts state-of-the-art processes that are entirely enclosed and fully recyclable, resulting in zero environmental impact," the statement reads in part.
"No water from our manufacturing process is discharged into any lakes, streams or other bodies of water. Additionally, no material waste is produced during the process."
The company says that the Ministry of the Environment has been to the plant and everything was deemed safe and approved.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed Thursday in Nepean dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.