2008:05 MINING WASTE POLLUTION REPORTING
Whereas 1
Industrial mining facilities dispose of hundreds of millions of kilograms of toxic pollutants into their tailings ponds and waste rock piles, and this pollution heavily impacts human and wildlife health and welfare and has the potential to spoil ecosystems for generations; and
Whereas 2
Until 2006 mining facilities had an exemption from reporting the waste from mining to the National Pollutant Release Inventory; and
Whereas 3
In 2006 the Minister of the Environment removed permanently the exemption so that mining companies have been required to report the quantities of toxic chemicals they are depositing into their mining wastes, to be made publicly available through the National Pollutant Release Inventory and mining facilities have so far failed to report same; and
Whereas 4
Despite the exemption removal, Environment Canada officials have subsequently advised mining facilities that they would not be required to report disposals of substances of concern to tailing areas and waste rock areas for 2006; therefore be it
Resolved 1
That the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy that the mining industry be required to report toxic waste deposits from their total mining operations to the National Pollutant Release Inventory; and be it further
Resolved 2
That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to ensure that all mining companies accurately report toxic waste pollution from their total mining operations to the National Pollutant Release Inventory, so that remedial and preventative action plans may be put in place to protect human health and welfare and the environment; and be it further
Resolved 3
That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to include public scrutiny of the reports and penalties for failure to comply with standards; and be it further
Resolved 4
That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Provincial Councils of Women to pressure their respective provincial governments to ensure that all mining companies report toxic waste pollution from their total mining operations to the National Pollutant Release Inventory.