Sudbury group calls for city to test soil in parks for contamination

A Sudbury community group is calling for soil testing in city parks that may be contaminated by toxic mining run-off.

The concerns are based on an investigation by Environment Canada into alleged leaking from Vale's slag dump in the west end of Sudbury.

Court documents detailing Environment Canada's request for a warrantshow the run-off is suspected near two city parks.

• Vale denies wrongdoing after water pollution claims
• Vale under probe for alleged toxic run-off
• Environment Canada obtains files from Vale

The Travers Street playground ison property owned by the Sudbury District Catholic School Board, where run-off from Vale's slag pile was first spotted in 2012.

Environment Canada is also investigating possible contamination and damage to a fish habitat inNolin Creek, which runs right through a city park.

Naomi Grant from the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury is callingon the city to test the soil around both parks to make sure there is no public risk.

She said citizens are not being informed about what's being done to keep them safe.

"'What does this mean for me?Do I need to be worried?What can I do?So, I think [residents will] want to know 'what does this mean?' and second, 'why haven't I heard about this?'"

But the city of Greater Sudbury has no plans to conduct testing and it does not test the soil on city properties on a regular basis.

"Well, at this point, we haven't been presented with anything that would suggest we should be concerned," said StephenMonet,the city'smanager of environmental planning. Headded that the Travers Street playground is at the opposite end of the school board property where the run-off was found.

Monet said the city has received no complaints or concerns about the safety of these parks, but Grant said Sudburians might be opting to ignore their worries, rather than dwell on the prospect of living in a polluted place.

"Who wants to think that where they're living or where their kids are playing might be a risk?That's a really scary thing to think about, especially if you don't know who's looking out for your back. So, sometimes, it's easier not to think about it," she said.

None of Environment Canada's allegations have been proven in courtand Vale hasn't been formally accused of anything.