Attawapiskat hospital fuel spill clean up could top $2 M

The cost of cleaning up a fuel spill could at the Attawapiskat hospital could top $2 million because of contamination that crews said are worse than expected.

Workers have beencleaning up and removing contaminated soil since heating oil leaked into the crawlspace of the building back in November. The hospital in the James Bay community has remained closed since.

• Fuel spill forces closure of Attawapiskat hospital

When the spill happened in early December,WeeneebaykoHealth AuthorityCEORobert Adolph said it was believed a pump failure caused1,200 litres of fuel to leaked into the building.

Timmins-James Bay NDPMPP Gilles Bisson said there's no estimate yet for when the clean-up will finish and when the hospital will re-open.

The provincial government, he added, continues to assistwith remediation. It has so far provided about $1 million.

"The good news is, in discussion with the minister of health this week, he has reaffirmed his commitment to make sure that the province does what it has to do to make sure that this spill is cleaned," Bisson said.

In February, Bisson asked for additional funds to clean up the contaminated soil around the hospital.

• Attawapiskat tainted soil removal: Gilles Bisson wants more funding

In the meantime, nurses continue to provide emergency medical services at a temporary clinic in Attawapiskat's health centre.