Elections
Hamilton has a large number of contaminated brownfield properties that present a risk for investors. What, if anything, will you do to make it easier to remediate brownfields?
Responses to the question: "Hamilton has a large number of contaminated brownfield properties that present a risk for investors. What, if anything, will you do to make it easier to remediate brownfields?"
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5 Candidate Responses (top)
| Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Erik Coverdale | Yes | Brownfields represent restorative opportunities. The Greens would support incentives for remediation of these sites. This would include a best practice sharing collaborative platform to encourage innovative ideas for remediation. |
| Glenn Langton | Yes | Make the previous owners responsible for restoration of these properties, if that is not possible, then remove the government impediments to businesses who would purchase these properties and allow them to clean them up themselves. A Libertarian government would prevent this type of problem occurring by implementing restorative justice and removing the ability of a company to commit theft via bankruptcy, these companies would then be forced to respect their properties and use them responsibly because it is in their long and short term best interest to do so. |
| Robert Maton | Yes | I advocate public/private partnerships to remediate brownfields. Private industry in principle is entirely responsible for remediation, and this is reflected in the marketplace where investors in properties requiring remediation will pay a price for the property reflecting the costs of remediation. However, where risks are uncertain or risks to the surrounding community exist, the cost of remediation may exceed the value of the property and such properties may be difficult or impossible to sell. In these cases the only option seems to be for municipalities to take control of properties, remediate, and charge the costs back to the owners.
However, owners often disappear or initiate prolonged court proceedings in these circumstances. Further, it is not appropriate for municipalities to appropriate large tracts of toxic land which require high costs to remediate. Municipalities should not be the target of any lawsuits for health problems caused by brownfields. I advocate a stick and carrot approach, which would provide financial incentives and tax breaks to brownfield owners who collaborate, remediate, and meet standards set by the municipality. On the other hand, lack of collaboration with the municipal authority would attract legal action, and the full force of the federal, provincial and municipal regulations to legally require them to conform to standards. |
| Ted McMeekin | Yes | We are committed to helping brownfield redevelopment to both safeguard the health of Ontarians and provide economic opportunities. Brownfield redevelopment is about cleaning up old, contaminated industrial and commercial lands to make better use of existing infrastructure. It also curbs urban sprawl, eliminates environmental hazards, promotes sustainable communities, contributes to our priority of reducing toxics in soil, water and air, and supports our move to a new economy.
Eighteen months ago, we provided clear rules and efficient processes to accelerate the clean up of brownfields. We have enhanced environmental protection through clear site assessment requirements, updated standards and the introduction of a new streamlined risk assessment process. For many projects, this process provides cost relief by reducing red tape. The changes to the brownfield standards are based on current science to provide strong protection of human health and the environment. We have been working very closely with stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to these new rules that took effect on July 1, 2011. Clearer rules on brownfields help to accelerate the clean up of contaminated sites and return brownfields to productive use. They provide an opportunity to redevelop significant brownfield sites through revitalization, which in turn stimulates community rejuvenation around these sites. |
| Trevor Westerhoff | Yes | Brownfield re-development is an important component of the NDP intensification plan. The NDP would assess a range of regulatory, property assessment and tax changes to encourage brownfield development. |
Response Summary (top)
| Brief Response | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 5 | 100.0% |
| No | 0 | 0.0% |
| Maybe | 0 | 0.0% |
3 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)
| Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donna Skelly | ||
| Peter Melanson | ||
| Rick Gundermann | ||
