The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon MP Bev Desjarlais is part of ongoing discussions with the federal government to save the HBMS smelter from a potential closure. HBMS is concerned that a proposed Environment Canada limit on sulphur dioxide emissions would, if implemented, probably result in the closure of the smelter in 2008. "We all recognize there's a need for environmental protection," said Desjarlais, "but we also need to recognize that within the province of Manitoba, we don't have the size of mining operations that are in other provinces, so what (pollution) we produce overall is not as drastic as it is in other provinces. That needs to be kept in the picture." Environment Canada is proposing that HBMS voluntarily reduce its sulphur dioxide emissions by 2008, a likely precursor to an even lower rate that would be legally binding by 2015. In discussions with the federal government, Desjarlais said there has been some suggestion that the proposed limits won't be adamantly enforced, and that companies may be able to instead follow appropriate plans of their own for emission reductions. "We want to ensure there is a balance," said the MP. "It would certainly be my intent to find a balance between whether an operation can survive and meet those requirements, and taking into consideration the whole life of the operation." The sulphur emission limit would apply to 11 smelters and refineries across Canada, differing from operation to operation. For HBMS, the proposed target for 2008 is a maximum of 166,000 tonnes per year; for 2015, the number shrinks to 16,000. The proposal targets not only sulphur dioxide, but also emissions of particulate matter, mercury and other pollutants. Desjarlais noted that the Manitoba government has also been part of the ongoing talks surrounding the proposal. Meanwhile, Desjarlais said she has been assured that the pending sale of HBMS to Toronto-based Ontzinc Corp. won't have a negative impact on the community. "There's been concern that they (Ontzinc) don't seem to have any active operations going on right now," she said, "but the indication is, certainly from HBMS, that they are going to continue on as usual, and I think that's what's important for the workers and the city of Flin Flon."
