Office of the Auditor General of CanadaOAG reports published in the past are available through Publications.gc.ca.

2002 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Appendix B—Sydney tar ponds and surrounding area—Key events and federal contributions since 1980

2002 October Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development

October 2002 Report—Chapter 2

Appendix B—Sydney tar ponds and surrounding area—Key events and federal contributions since 1980

Year

Key event

Federal contribution
(current dollars)

1980

Fisheries and Oceans Canada discovered high levels of PCBs, mercury, lead, and PAHs in the lobsters of Sydney Harbour.

Not requested
(part of Department's overall mandate)

1980 to date

Various health risk studies were conducted by the federal government, often in conjunction with others.

$1.9 million1 +

1982

Fisheries and Oceans Canada shut down lobster fisheries in Sydney Harbour because PAH concentrations exceeded Canadian guidelines.

Not requested
(part of Department's overall mandate)

1981-1984

Modernization Agreement — Phase I: a $96 million, federal/provincial agreement was signed to modernize facilities at the Sydney Steel Corporation (SYSCO) located in the Muggah Creek watershed (federal/provincial ratio of 80:20).

$77 million

1986-1991

Modernization Agreement — Phase II: a $157 million, federal/provincial agreement was signed to implement the second stage of the SYSCO modernization program (federal/provincial ratio of 70:30).

$110 million

1986-1991

Sydney Tar Ponds Cleanup Subsidiary Agreement: a $34.2 million, federal/provincial agreement was signed to initiate cleanup of the Sydney tar ponds by the recommended approach—excavation and incineration—(federal/provincial ratio of 70:30).

$24 million

1996

Creation of the Joint Action Group (JAG) — a community-based advisory body was established to recommend acceptable cleanup solutions to the three levels of government. The federal government is an active member; all three levels of government provide funding.

$2.2 million2

1998

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the three levels of government and JAG, to set out a framework for the participation of all parties.

Not applicable

1999-2003

Cost-Share Agreement: a $62 million, federal/provincial/municipal agreement initially ending March 2002 was signed. The agreement was amended and extended in March 2002 by one year; no additional federal funding was provided. The agreement funded JAG-recommended projects, approved by the three levels of government, to evaluate environmental and health issues associated with the site. (Various cost-sharing ratios apply, but the vast majority is a federal/provincial ratio of 70:30).

$38 million

Total federal contribution

$253.1 million +

 

1 Refers to Health Canada's headquarters costs for 1997 to 2002 to support research, requests for risk assessments, and other related costs. Costs of more recent health studies are included in the Cost-Share Agreement.

2 Refers to funding for 1996-97 and 1997-98. Further funding for JAG has been provided through the Cost-Share Agreement.