Embedded Files
There are growing concerns about potential toxic waste dumps in the Joshua Creek & Oakville areas. Toxic dumps can release harmful substances that linger for decades, often going unnoticed until long-term effects appear. This website serves as a central location for information related to dumps in Joshua Creek and surrounding areas.
Do You or Your Family Have Cancer & Live or Lived in Joshua Creek?
Do You or Your Family Have Cancer & Live or Lived in Joshua Creek?
Please fill out the Joshua Creek Cancer Awareness Survey.
How It Started:
How It Started:
Initial Letter Sent to Oakville Mayor & Council on Industrial Dumps
Initial Letter Sent to Oakville Mayor & Council on Industrial Dumps
The Mayor and Council were sent a letter by a law firm that represented a group of concerned residents in Joshua Creek. That letter outlined the residents concerns regarding the industrial dumps that exist near Joshua Creek and other dumps within the vicinity. It outlines the start of the Joshua Creek Inquiry.
Read the legal letter sent to the Mayor, Halton, Infrastructure Ontario, & the MPP. It was sent on behalf of Oakville residents and outlines concerns about the dumps in the area.
Oakville Has No Information on Industrial Dumps?!
Oakville Has No Information on Industrial Dumps?!
The Town Solicitor, Doug Carr stated that they do not have “any further information in respect of the other alleged ‘industrial dumps’ referenced in your email." Screenshot of the email is shown.
But the Region of Halton said otherwise....See below.
FOI Request Report Confirms Sludge Dumped on 9th Line Landfill
FOI Request Report Confirms Sludge Dumped on 9th Line Landfill
A Freedom of Information Request was made and in the 650 page document that was provided, it clearly states that the “site is filled with wood, paint and SLUDGE from the Ford Motor Company.” As shown in Page 136 of the FOI Report.
The Ford Dump Was Permitted by Ontario for the Exclusive
The Ford Dump Was Permitted by Ontario for the Exclusive
Use by the Ford Motor Company
Use by the Ford Motor Company
Halton Does Not Know Who Owns the Ford Dump Nor Do They
Halton Does Not Know Who Owns the Ford Dump Nor Do They
Monitor Them
Monitor Them
Halton Does Not Monitor Private Landfills, Despite Ford Being Oakville's Major Polluter...
Halton Does Not Monitor Private Landfills, Despite Ford Being Oakville's Major Polluter...
How Do They Not Know Who Owns Them But The Ministry Was Able To
How Do They Not Know Who Owns Them But The Ministry Was Able To
Discuss With the Property Owners?
Discuss With the Property Owners?
The Ministry of the Environment is Stating That Available Information Does
The Ministry of the Environment is Stating That Available Information Does
Not Indicate Waste Was Buried at the Ford Motor Company Property (see below)
Not Indicate Waste Was Buried at the Ford Motor Company Property (see below)
NOTE: For clarity, the following people were copied on this response from the Ministry of Environment: Doug Ford, Stephen Crawford (MPP Oakville), Rob Burton (Mayor of Oakville), Gary Carr (Regional Chairman - Halton)
But A 2014 Letter from WSP Addressed to Halton Indicated That Leachate Is Produced. It Has An Impact to Joshua Creek & Water Quality
But A 2014 Letter from WSP Addressed to Halton Indicated That Leachate Is Produced. It Has An Impact to Joshua Creek & Water Quality
How can the Ministry of Environment Say That “The review of available
How can the Ministry of Environment Say That “The review of available
information does not indicate that waste was buried at those locations”,
information does not indicate that waste was buried at those locations”,
When the Halton Region Was Able to Say Otherwise?
When the Halton Region Was Able to Say Otherwise?
Additionally, MECP records also show that Ford Motor Company had used the site to dump sludge in a dump site up the street at the 9th Landfill? How did the Ministry of Environment then infer that no waste was buried at all at these sites?
2021 Ministry of the Environment Update: No Soil Samples Were Taken Yet
2021 Ministry of the Environment Update: No Soil Samples Were Taken Yet
They Suggest NO Waste Disposal (see below)
They Suggest NO Waste Disposal (see below)
Key Phrases of Concern:
Key Phrases of Concern:
“review of available information”: was the Halton Region’s report available? If so, they would have seen that their report indicated that the dump was used by Ford and destined to be moved to the US for final disposition.
“sampling program in Joshua’s Creek”: why did they not say they took soil samples from the actual dump (the soil)? That would be a more accurate measure of whether or not waste disposal actually occurred at these locations in order to come to a concrete conclusion.
Is Waste Currently Being Disposed in the Area or Elsewhere?
Is Waste Currently Being Disposed in the Area or Elsewhere?
This message came from a former employee of a company called Mini Millennium Disposal who took a selfie with what he alleged was toxic waste at Ford that needed to be disposed of. Please see the conversation below:
Why Is The Sludge Concerning?
Why Is The Sludge Concerning?
‘Cancer road’: A Ford factory dumped toxic sludge on tribal land. Years later, it’s still making people sick
A lawsuit filed by New Jersey will attempt to hold Ford accountable for decades of environmental damage to native lands. Richard Hall talks to the residents still fighting for justice.
Relevant Links & Information
Relevant Links & Information
Citizens of ‘Sludge City’ File Lawsuit Against Ford Over Toxic Waste
In lawsuit, hundreds of Ringwood, N.J., residents claim waste dumping by Ford caused illnesses. They and 650 others are now suing, and are seeking compensation from the Ford Motor Company.
Ford sued for allegedly dumping ‘toxic sludge’ on Ramapough Lenape land
Ford Motor Company is being sued by New Jersey state officials for contaminating hundreds of acres of land that the company used for the waste disposal for its largest assembly plant that was built in 1955.
Ford motor company sued over NJ tribal land pollution
“In 2006, following the discovery of extensive remaining contamination, Ringwood Mines became the first Superfund Site to be restored to the NPL due to Ford’s failure to disclose the full extent of the contamination at the Site.”
Other Relevant Links Related to Ford Sludge
Other Relevant Links Related to Ford Sludge
For those interested in understanding more about toxic waste sites and their impact, here are some resources. Staying informed can help our community recognize environmental issues sooner and take proactive steps for a healthier environment.
Development Near Toxic Lands?
Development Near Toxic Lands?
The area in the dotted yellow, depicts the proposed development. The study was done for Infrastructure Ontario with the address of: 50 Sherwood Heights.
The red area depicts the Ford Drive dump site.
Should residents and the public be aware that a development will be right across the street from a former dump that may not have been disposed of? That is potentially toxic? Why is it not mentioned in the report that there’s a dump across the street? Should Infrastructure Ontario ask that the report not be updated or clarified?
A 2012 Report Did Not Disclose The Dumps, Despite Assessing Development with Oakville Staff
A 2012 Report Did Not Disclose The Dumps, Despite Assessing Development with Oakville Staff
The Report states that a visit was conducted by the Project Team and a meeting was held with the Town of Oakville Planning Staff. The report:
Optimal Use Report in order to develop the property on 9th Line where the Ford Sludge resides.
In the Constraints Section, Page 6 of the PDF and throughout the document, there is NO MENTION of any dumps in the report.
Toxic Dirt Dumped in Ontario Prime Farmland
With lax rules and no tracking system, Ontario sits idly while Toronto’s contaminated dirt is dumped in the countryside.
Ford Government To Allow Illegal Dumping of Dirt to Continue
Some of the polluted soil goes to rural properties as “clean fill” (Following the Trail of GTA’s Dirty Secret; Toronto Star front page October 20, 2014) or is dumped illegally without proper permits and even into wetlands.
St Catherines Staff Knew of GM Contamination for 2 Years
The City of St. Catherines has been ordered to release all documentation detailing the toxic substances beneath the former GM site where developers have planned to build residential units without disclosing potential health risks.
Why is the Government Looking to Sell & Develop This Site?
Why is the Government Looking to Sell & Develop This Site?
"Area resident John Scheel cautioned against any development on the site, alleging that a piece of land located southwest of 2551 Sherwood Heights Dr., between Ford Drive and South Service Road East, is home to a toxic dump. He claims Ford made use of this dump from 1963 to 1973."
"Oakville Mayor Rob Burton later called on town staff to determine whether there is an environmental concern near the 2551 Sherwood Heights Dr. site that would limit its development."
Nearly two years later...Despite all the available information...
There has been no update on this matter.
As a Reminder, Halton Region Confirmed the Existence of the Ford Dump (as highlighted in the image above in red).
As a Reminder, Halton Region Confirmed the Existence of the Ford Dump (as highlighted in the image above in red).
Please note: South Service Road has had it’s name changed to The Canadian Road. It’s a recent change and unclear of when exactly this took place but the reference from Halton above, is referencing the same dump site used exclusively by Ford.
It was “destined to be moved to the United States for final disposition”.
No records have been produced that it was ever done.
Ford dump that is referenced above
Ford dump that is referenced above
BEFORE: Aerial view from 1946.
Notice this whole area were flat lands…
AFTER: Google Street View
Note the LARGE hill…
They Want to Develop the Land
They Want to Develop the Land
The Mayor & Council of Oakville As Well As Gary Carr of Halton, Was Contacted in 2017 w/Details
The Mayor & Council of Oakville As Well As Gary Carr of Halton, Was Contacted in 2017 w/Details
From the Letter: That (e.g. rugby leased) land sits on a 1950’s era garbage dump of the former township. Ford Motor Co. used its own trucks to dump here. Before recycling, everything went into the landfill. Don’t want to be digging too deep.” Further, “Fronting on to the south was the Town’s Dump Site during the 60’s that took in industrial waste of all kinds…don’t think that it was ever remediated. It was used into the 60’s for sure before being relocated.”
Joshua Creek Flood Study Makes No Mention of Landfill or Dumps
Joshua Creek Flood Study Makes No Mention of Landfill or Dumps
Findings on Dumps and Landfills
Findings on Dumps and Landfills
No Explicit Mention of Historical Dumps or Landfills
Across all documents, there is no direct acknowledgment or examination of potential historical dumping activities or landfills, particularly the 9th Line landfill site. This omission is critical given the reported concerns about historical waste disposal in the area including the sludge that was disposed of in that area.Hydrological Focus with Limited Context on Subsurface Contamination
While the reports provide an extensive hydrological analysis (e.g., flood risk, hydraulic capacity, and climate change impacts), they lack a detailed investigation of subsurface conditions that might reveal contamination linked to past dumping activities.Soil and Borehole Testing Absent
Despite flood mitigation plans and environmental assessments, there is no evidence of borehole testing to evaluate the subsurface for contaminants. This is a significant oversight, particularly given the allegations of toxic waste disposal in the area.
Potential Red Flags and Suspicious Omissions
Potential Red Flags and Suspicious Omissions
Lack of Historical Review of Land Use
A comprehensive historical review of land use, particularly between the 1960s and 1980s when dumping allegedly occurred, is absent. This is a glaring gap, as such activities could significantly influence current environmental risks.Focus on Surface and Flood Risks Only
The reports limit their scope to flood mitigation, with no parallel investigation into possible environmental hazards beneath the surface. This narrow focus overlooks the potential for leachate migration or other contamination that could affect water quality in Joshua CreekNo Engagement with Historical Dump Records
The reports make no reference to Ministry of Environment and Climate Change records or other repositories that might document the existence or activities of disposal sites along the 9th Line corridor. This absence undermines the thoroughness of the environmental review
Want to Stay up-to-date on Joshua Creek or Toxic Dumps in Oakville?
Want to Stay up-to-date on Joshua Creek or Toxic Dumps in Oakville?
Email Sent to Oakville Residents on November 25, 2020, Summarizing Concerns:
Email Sent to Oakville Residents on November 25, 2020, Summarizing Concerns:
The Canadian Environmental Law Association Would Not Take On The Case
The Canadian Environmental Law Association Would Not Take On The Case
The Big Picture: Summarized by John Scheel
The Big Picture: Summarized by John Scheel
Key Quotes from John Scheel’s Letter
“My findings allege a concerning lack of transparency and accountability among key government entities, specifically the Town of Oakville, Halton Region, and the Ministry of Environment (MoE). Based on the evidence gathered, it appears that these entities may have either actively withheld information regarding waste sites or provided incomplete or misleading disclosures to the public. This behavior, whether deliberate or due to oversight, undermines public trust and potentially places residents at risk by failing to disclose the existence and nature of waste sites in areas of ongoing or planned development.”
“I am alleging that Infrastructure Ontario has been the quarterback behind this entire scheme, orchestrating a calculated concealment of toxic waste sites to push forward development projects at any cost.”
“In particular, the Ford Dump site near Sherwood Heights illustrates this pattern. According to Ontario, development is restricted within 500 meters of a waste site, yet IO’s reports and consultant assessments appear to overlook this regulation.”
John Scheel Official Letter.pdfJohn Scheel Was Denied a Request by his Councillor: Tom Adams of Ward 6
John Scheel Was Denied a Request by his Councillor: Tom Adams of Ward 6
When John Scheel reached out to his Councillor, Tom Adams and asked to present his findings to Oakville Council. His request was denied, citing “Council did not approve your request for a presentation” and “I am forwarding your correspondence to Doug Carr, Town Solicitor, to be handled accordingly.”
When John Scheel pressed for an official answer why he could not present to Council, the CMO/Town Clerk, Vicki Tytaneck cited: “There have been no notice of motions introduced to date by any member of council” and “therefore there has been no matter listed on a Council agenda that would allow his delegation.” And that in order for him to present anything, he would have to look on a website link, 9 days prior to the meeting, to see if there’s “an item on the agenda that would pertain to his issues allowing his request to delegate to be validated.”
LATEST UPDATES
LATEST UPDATES
December 4th, 2024: Halton Region leaks all emails of residents concerned & subscribed to Joshua Creek updates from the Region. This is in violation of the Municipal Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act & must be reported to the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC). Gary Carr, the CAO of Halton is sent an email regarding the breach.
December 31st, 2024: Oakville receives Formal Notice of Oakville Non-Compliance with MFIPPA—Failure to Respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests. Oakville is required by law, to respond to Freedom of Information Requests within 30 days - proof of delivery of the 4 FOIs, delivered in person, is attached in the email. No response has been given.
John Scheel’s Report
John Scheel’s Report
PRIVATE INVESTIGATION: REPORT ON OAKVILLE TOXIC DUMPS
John Scheel has attempted to tell the Town of Oakville, Halton Region and other Governmental authorities and news outlets about the toxicity of three hidden Oakville Dump sites in the Joshua Creek Area.
“All dumps drain into Joshua’s Creek, then Lake Ontario”
“The 3 dumps are real, large, industrial, toxic and untested”
“A developer walked away from owning The Ninth Line Dump in 1976 (sold to Ontario)”
Why Does Living Near A Potentially Toxic Site Matter?
Why Does Living Near A Potentially Toxic Site Matter?
Raed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Article on the Love Canal Tragedy
Raed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Article on the Love Canal Tragedy
“We knew they put chemicals into the canal and filled it over,” said one woman, a long-time resident of the Canal area., “but we had no idea the chemicals would invade our homes. We’re worried sick about the grandchildren and their children.”
"We suspect that there are hundreds of such chemical dumpsites across this Nation. "
"Unlike Love Canal, few are situated so close to human settlements. But without a doubt, many of these old dumpsites are time bombs with burning fuses — their contents slowly leaching out. And the next victim cold be a water supply, or a sensitive wetland.”
Contaminated Soil. 469 Residential Properties.
Contaminated Soil. 469 Residential Properties.
“The 120-acre area included 469 residential properties and 10 municipal properties. Soil at the site was contaminated with radioactive waste materials suspected to have originated from nearby radium-processing facilities that operated in the early 1900s. Houses were later built on or near radium waste disposal areas. Some of the radium-contaminated soil was used as fill in the low-lying areas, and some was mixed with cement for sidewalks and foundations.”
Resources
Resources
For those interested in understanding more about toxic waste sites and their impact, here are some resources. Staying informed can help our community recognize environmental issues sooner and take proactive steps for a healthier environment.
Learn More About Toxic Waste And Environmental Safety
Learn More About Toxic Waste And Environmental Safety
For those interested in understanding more about toxic waste sites and their impact, here are some resources. Staying informed can help our community recognize environmental issues sooner and take proactive steps for a healthier environment.
This website is for informational and data-gathering purposes only. It does not imply any verified environmental hazards or health risks in Joshua Creek. Information collected will be reviewed and may be shared with local authorities for further inquiry.
Disclaimer: This website is intended solely to raise awareness about environmental concerns in the Joshua Creek & surrounding areas and to gather data from residents regarding potential toxic waste sites. The information provided regarding potential toxic waste in the Joshua Creek area is for informational purposes only and does not imply a verified link between air or water quality and health issues. Any reports or data referenced, including air quality and environmental assessments, are provided strictly for informational purposes. While there is significant concern about the presence of toxic substances and reports of past sludge disposal at the site, no definitive connection to health outcomes has been established at this time. Our ultimate goal is to compile this information and present it to Health Canada and other relevant authorities. With enough data, we hope to prompt an investigation into potential environmental factors or other causes contributing to this health issue in our community. We encourage everyone affected to participate, as your story is crucial to helping us gain insights and support from public health officials. The information on this site does not imply, suggest, or conclude that any specific entity, Ford Motor Company or any other party, or any specific environmental factor is responsible for environmental conditions in the area. No direct link between any environmental factors and health or safety risks has been verified or established.
The content on this site is not intended to offer medical, scientific, or legal conclusions. For specific health concerns or legal inquiries, individuals should consult qualified professionals. This site exists solely to facilitate data collection for possible review by relevant authorities.
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