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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20 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. |
| Hamilton Centre | ||
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Andrea Horwath | 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. |
| Christopher Lawson | Yes | The Jackie Washington Park in Hamilton Centre is a remediated Plastimet disaster. Remediation has its place, but what can be done with some of these properties is very limited. I am in favor of stronger penalties, penalties with real teeth, against those company executives that are knowing parties to the creation of the processes that bring about these ecological disasters known as brownfields. Those responsible need to face serious responsibility. Perhaps this is what it will take to deter others from following a destructive or irresponsible path to satisfy their greed. |
| Michael Baldasaro | Yes | Raise taxes on any property which is costing the city to protect, service and maintain, including legislating for quicker action when Landlords do not act swiftly to remedy complaints about the state of their property, by making the complaint procedure simple and easy to access and last but not least, by making it possible to follow-up on the action taken on the complaint to adhere to property standards and other orders. |
| Peter Ormond | Yes | First of all, acknowledge that the brownfields are an opportunity for Hamilton. Then complete a comprehensive inventory of all brownfields and abandoned properties in Hamilton. We will provide real incentives for brownfield remediation, and innovation to develop innovative remediation technologies.
The brownfields are already serviced and are within the city's current footprint. The Greens would cease all development that fosters urban sprawl, and refocus inward. Remember reduce, reuse, recycle? That applies to land use as well. |
| Robert Kuhlmann | Yes | The true purpose of government is to protect the population from force and fraud. That is Government's only mandate. Is the sale of such properties without full disclosure fraudulent? Yes or No? If the answer is yes, prosecute the perpetrators to the full extent of the law, the criminal law! I'm certain such consequences would make people reconsider making fraudulent transactions. |
| Hamilton East-Stoney Creek | ||
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Bob Green Innes | Yes | The problem is not so much contaminants in the ground, though they do exist, as it is a problem of a legal regime that makes it impossible for investors to take an interest in a property. Most people just think that, as with everything else, free money is the answer - in this case, money for a huge cleanup. Please see my answer to the first question for why free money is no longer appropriate.
Technically, the basic answer is simple - capping the site provides a paved surface for parking that also keeps rain infiltration from leaching contaminants away. Though an absolute guarantee is probably impossible, I believe the Toronto Hydro site on Commissioners St. in Toronto is a good example of what can be done. Removing the threat of lawsuits is the first step in remediation therefore, I believe that the Provincial and Federal governments should do more to remove the basic liability issue that drives investors away. As a side issue, we should review the whole business of liability - Canada is becoming paralyzed by the threat of lawsuits just as in the US. This is another example of how the three big parties that represent Big Business, Big Government and Big Unions and their lawyers have abused ordinary people to line their pockets. |
| Mark Cripps | Yes | I think the federal and provincial governments should partner with the cities and developers to find solutions to remediate brownfield properties. |
| Paul Miller | 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. |
| W. Peter Randall | Yes | Provincial and Municipal incentives in these areas can be paramount to the restoration and reclamation of these areas. Through property tax credits and reductions and other such programs.
Waive land transfer tax fees? Reduce building permit fees? Create low interest clean up loans? |
| Hamilton Mountain | ||
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Hans Wienhold | No | Nothing.
Investors, as I see it, take risks. It is the nature of their business. The question, in essence, is.... would I socialize the risks in order to privatize the profits? (As we have recently seen in a plethora of banker bailouts, etc.) No. Emphatically, no. |
| Monique Taylor | 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. |
| Sophia Aggelonitis | Yes | Ontario Liberals 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. |
| Tony Morris | Yes | The Green Party of Ontario is committed to restoring the ecological integrity of former industrial sites through land use policies and tax incentives for cleaner industries. Through revenue generating funds for the extraction of certain resources, the Green Party will then be able to assist in investing in the remediation of brownfield properties to develop new and cleaner industries. |
| Niagara West-Glanbrook | ||
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Anthony Marco | 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. |
| Geoff Peacock | Yes | A solution to that problem will have to be worked out with the co-operation of City of Hamilton. |
Response Summary (top)
| Brief Response | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 19 | 95.0% |
| No | 1 | 5.0% |
| Maybe | 0 | 0.0% |
22 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)
| Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donna Skelly | ||
| Peter Melanson | ||
| Rick Gundermann | ||
| Hamilton Centre | ||
| Anthony Gracey | ||
| Don Sheppard | ||
| Donna Tiqui-Shebib | ||
| Robert Szajkowski | ||
| Steven Passmore | ||
| Hamilton East-Stoney Creek | ||
| Gregg Pattinson | ||
| Nancy Fiorentino | ||
| Philip Doucette | ||
| Silas Khokar | ||
| Hamilton Mountain | ||
| Brian Goodwin | ||
| Geordie Elms | ||
| Jim Enos | ||
| Trevor Pettit | ||
| Niagara West-Glanbrook | ||
| Gerry Augustine | ||
| Katie Trombetta | ||
| Marty Poos | ||
| Meredith Cross | ||
| Rob Wienhold | ||
| Tim Hudak | ||
