Sarnia

A joint investigation by the Star, Global News, National Observer, the Michener Awards Foundation and journalism schools at Ryerson and Concordia universities revealed a troubling pattern of secrecy and potentially toxic leaks in Sarnia, Ont.

Ontario is giving a $100-million grant to a Sarnia-area petrochemical company currently under investigation by the province’s environment ministry. Alberta-based Nova Chemicals, which operates three plants in the Sarnia region, is being investigated over allegations it didn’t properly report a Nov. 8 incident at its site in Corunna, south of Sarnia.

Nova Chemicals in Corunna, south of Sarnia, evacuated staff to a “safe location” Wednesday after a potential leak triggered plant alarms, the company said. Hydrogen sulphide, which has a rotten egg odour, can paralyze the human sense of smell and cause death at high enough concentrations. The ministry spokesperson said staff are investigating why Nova didn’t immediately report the spill.

It’s not clear when the leak began — a source said staff were warned that “the leak happened last night and (was) still not contained” — but the chemical involved Wednesday afternoon was hydrogen sulphide, said an alert issued by the nearby First Nations community of Aamjiwnaang.

The Trudeau government says its plans to toughen Canada's environmental laws could address serious health concerns exposed by a joint media investigation into Sarnia's petrochemical valley.

The announcement comes after joint investigation by Global News, the Toronto Star, National Observer, The Michener Awards Foundation and journalism schools at Ryerson and Concordia.

Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner Dianne Saxe said it’s “truly shameful” what is happening to residents living near what’s known as Sarnia’s “Chemical Valley.”

There are 57 polluters registered with the Canadian and U.S. governments within 25 kilometres. Are the chemicals, spills and illnesses related?

Line 9 pipeline knocked offline for about 90 minutes on Monday morning after three activists locked themselves to a valve site east of Sarnia, Ont.