Article content

HAMILTON — A report on a massive sewage spill into a Hamilton creek was “a confidential matter,” city officials said Thursday as they defended their decision to keep the details secret from the public.

Twenty-four billion litres of untreated wastewater flowed into Chedoke Creek between 2014 and 2018, the city said in a statement released Wednesday, shortly after a local newspaper reached out to officials for comment on the report.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or City of Hamilton defends decision to keep massive sewage spill secret Back to video

The Hamilton Spectator reported it had obtained confidential documents that contained detailed information on the extent of the spill and suggested city councillors had tried to keep the extent of the spill secret.

The city said the veil of secrecy was standard practice.

“The report formed the basis of conversation in-camera because it is a confidential matter,” said Dan McKinnon, general manager of public works at the city, in an email.

“As well, it is the focus of an investigation of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and as such staff recommended that no public comments be made respecting it. This is standard practice relative to investigations that may result in litigation.”