Council unanimously agreed to request air quality tests from the Ministry of Environment Tuesday night
Council unanimously agreed to request air quality testing for Ward One in Lakeshore Tuesday night.
As part of its Employment Land Strategy, concerns were raised about the air quality for residents living around the Patillo Rd. and EC Row area. Ward 4 Councillor John Kerr cited commercial growth as a possible factor.
His original motion was to have the study on whether the air is safe extended west from Patillo Rd. to West Pike Creek Rd. and north the CP Rail tracks. Two friendly amendments were offered up from Ward 1 Councillor Steven Wilder that will be added to the request to the Ministry of Environment.
"Just to expand the area [north to Lake St. Clair], my area was smaller than they thought is should be, but it made sense," he says.
Wilder also recommended re-wording the request to ask that data be supplied with the outcome of the study for future assessment.
Kerr tells AM800 News commercial growth is good for the town, but it shouldn't be at the expense of nearby residents' health.
"Everybody wants good air quality for everybody in Lakeshore, so this will answer the question," he says. "The Ontario government will give us a report, if there's something we need to look at or fix, we will, and if it's not, then the government will let us know that as well."
Kerr says the Ministry of Environment will be able to either substantiate concerns or set minds at ease if there's no threat to public safety.
"Numbers, that data will give us the answer," says Kerr.
Lakeshore still needs the Ministry of Environment to approve the study.
No timeline was set on when the study could be approved.