For immediate release:
November 4, 2004

Barrett backs Levac in demanding brownfield action from the province

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is echoing Brant MPP Dave Levac’s call for action in the wake of a third fire over the last year at an abandoned Brantford property.

“The problem of derelict, abandoned buildings in the Brantford area is a concern for all,” said Barrett. “Three fires in the space of one year is a danger at any property – when it’s an abandoned site, the potential hazards become even more dire.”

Levac registered his concerns in the Legislature Wednesday in response to Monday’s fire at the provincially owned Crown Electric brownfield site on Sydenham in Brantford.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt in the blaze, but residents of the area, indeed of all of Brant, are demanding action from the province. I am too,” MPP Levac told the Legislature.

“While there has been progress in the way the province deals with brownfield sites in recent years, it’s clear there is a need for further steps toward resolving clean-up concerns,” Barrett said. “Right now, many of these abandoned properties are in a state of stagnation – unable to be sold or cleaned up until someone takes hold of the reins and ponies up the dollars required to maintain the safety of nearby residents.”

While the government has escheated (taken Crown control of) the derelict factory, the province does not actually manage the Sydenham site or other Brownfield properties under Crown control.

An interministerial committee has been set up to look into the issue – however there is no word on when that review will result in concrete action.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629