Chedoke sewage cleanup deadline extended to end of 2023
The province will now give the city until the end of 2023 to clean up sewage-soaked Chedoke Creek.
Ontario ordered dredging of the west-end creek after The Spectator revealed in 2019 the city had kept secret the extent of a four-year, 24-billion-litre sewage spill. A $6-million cleanup was supposed to be done by the end of this year.
But work stopped when the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) called on the city to consult further with hereditary Six Nations leaders - and critically, to seek consent" for the project based on Indigenous treaty rights.
The province has declined to intervene in the dispute - but on Dec. 20, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks extended the cleanup deadline in recognition of the complexities, challenges and delays" faced by the city.
The extension, granted in a letter from MECP district manager director Stephen Burt, is also meant to ensure there is appropriate time provided to facilitate ongoing discussions with Indigenous communities."
It remains unclear how the city will try to resolve HDI concerns about the project or prevent visits of Indigenous members to the work site like those that prompted the dredging company to refuse work over safety concerns.
Aaron Detlor, a spokesperson for Indigenous institute, earlier told The Spectator the HDI asked to meet with new mayor Andrea Horwath and was awaiting a response.
Horwath was unavailable for an interview Thursday, but in a statement pledged to work with city staff and stakeholders until a successful restoration is accomplished."
The city has support for the project from the elected council of Six Nations of the Grand River and a monitoring agreement in place with that body as well as the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
But as of last month, city staff characterized Hamilton's relationship with the HDI as confrontational" and conducted largely through lawyers.
Some city councillors have urged a reset of that relationship. A majority of the newly elected council members attended a welcome ceremony" hosted by local Indigenous leaders Dec. 12 near the Battlefield House Museum.
Matthew Van Dongen is a transportation and environment reporter at The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com