It appears the federal government is about to commit funding to phase three of a study into the health impact of the petrochemical industry on local residents.
Sarnia Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu met with federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor on Thursday. She was following up on letters Gladu sent to the Ministers of Health, Environment and Science.
"Petitpas confirmed to me that she's already been in contact with the provinces on this as a result of my initial contact," says Gladu. "They will look at where funding is. They may be able to utilize a scientist from Health Canada. The response was definitely very positive and I'm very encouraged by it."
Gladu says the minister is aware of the issues.
"The continued criticism is that cancer rates are higher among people living near the Petrochemical Valley than those who don't," says Gladu. "Now that's not born out by the regional rates. A lot of people are saying, 'well, the regional rates don't show the difference between those that are up close and those that are not', so that question will be one of them."
Gladu says respiratory and reproductive issues among local residents including members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation will also be addressed.
A local health study ground to a halt in 2016 because of lack of funding.
The recently reconvened Lambton Community Health Study board previously estimated phase three of a study focusing only on Sarnia Lambton residents would cost about $5-million.
