Protesters raise health concerns in march to Sarnia, Ont., refineries
by The Canadian Press
Demonstrators visited main gates of Imperial Oil, Suncor and Shell refineries; dubbed it "toxic tour"
SARNIA, Ont.—A crowd of more than 100 people marched through Sarnia’s so-called Chemical Valley to raise concerns about the impact refineries have on health and the environment.
Demonstrators visited the main gates of Imperial Oil, Suncor and Shell refineries before heading to the Aamjiwnaang First Nation community centre.
Some of the signs carried by protesters in what they called a “toxic tour” dubbed the area “cancer valley” and demanded the provincial environment ministry better protect local residents from pollution.
Spokeswoman Janelle Nahmabin brought her children—who wore dust masks—and says she’s concerned about how the refineries could impact their health in the future.
Nahmabin also criticized a proposed pipeline reversal that would bring bitumen from the Alberta oilsands to a Sarnia refinery.
