SIDNEY, B.C.-- After decades of neglect and cover up, Reay Creek Pond in Sidney, B.C. has finally been designated as a Class 1 contamination site. Transport Canada will begin remediation immediately.

“From my very first conversation with Minister Marc Garneau in 2015, days after his appointment as Minister of Transport, I raised the issue that this contamination was serious and urged that the federal government take remediation seriously,” said Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands). “This has been federal responsibility as airport lands are federal. The levels of cadmium in the pond are alarming.”

“Now thanks to the perseverance of local residents we finally have a commitment to action and a badly polluted body of water will be restored to health allowing neighbours to know their backyard soil is safe for gardening and fish are not contaminated. So I’d like to thank everyone involved, including the Residents of Reay Creek community group, the Peninsula Streams organization, the Victoria Airport Authority, the District of North Saanich, the Town of Sidney, the Capital Regional District, the B.C. Ministry of Environment land and federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau. Water connects us all, and any body of water, no matter how big or small, must be protected and treasured.”

Water tests showed that Reay Creek contained high levels of metals including cadmium, zinc, chromium and lead. The Town of Sidney has pledged to keep residents informed on the progress of the remediation which is expected to continue until the end of this year.

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For more information or to arrange an interview contact:

Rosie Emery

Press Secretary

613-562-4916x206