Province announces $46.3 million for Randle Reef cleanup

The Ontario government is committing $46.3 million to the clean upof industrial waste in Hamilton's Randle Reef.

The cleanup, which is expected to cost a total of $138.9 million,will cap sediment caused by industrial activity.

Local governments and now the province have offered up their one-third share. The federal government has yet to do so, but has suggested it would contribute if the municipal and provincial commitments were in place.

The cleanup is a jointeffort by the federal and provincial governments, the Hamilton Port Authority, the City of Hamilton, the City of Burlington, U.S. Steel and the Halton Region.

"I'm very proud of my city and the fact that the mayor has used his leadership to put the puzzle pieces togetherfrom Hamilton's perspective," Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, said. McMeekin, who is the minister of agriculture, announced the provincial funding.

"The stars are aligning and we are ready for liftoff."

The project will involve the dredging up of 630,000 cubic meters of contaminated sediments and housing them in 7.5-hectare containment facility.