Parry Sound Project

THE NOBEL LANDS: THE CAUSE OF NEARBY CANCER AND CHRONIC ILLNESS?

This website has been created to share the contents of the research and information over the last 4 years by Anna Martin through her organization Gumption, and assisted by many friends and family. The intent of this is to provide a blueprint for others to take over the work that has been done to date.

 

Each section of the original document has been divided into blog-post format for sharing purposes and to make the original research (documents and data) available for download.

 

DOWNLOAD THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT (88 PAGES)

 

Although this research has raised more questions than answers concerning the possibility of widespread pollution from Munitions and Explosives manufacturing operations at Nobel over 73 years from 1912-1985, a number of key points have emerged: Continue reading the Executive Summary…

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Main sections are linked to blog posts.

Subsections are within the primary section/blog post.

i. Executive Summary
ii. Dedications + Acknowledgements
iii. Testimonial of Anna Martin, Gumption’s Founder + Executive Director
iv. Introduction
v. Disclaimer
vi. Get Involved
1. Brief History of Nobel
- Canadian Explosives Limited (CXL) + Canadian Industries Limited (CIL)
- Guncotton Creek + Guncotton Bay
- Deformed or Diseased Local Animals
- British Cordite Limited
- Defence Industries Limited (DIL) + Avro Arrow
- Purple Fish in Simmes Lake
- Grenades in Georgian Bay
2. Other Possible Sources of Contamination
3. MOE Certifications for Landfills and Hazardous Incineration Sites
- CIL’s 2.06 Hectare Modified Landfill Site (5.09 acres), 1980
- Trimac: CIL’s Transportation Company
- CIL’s 0.16 Hectare Explosive Incineration Site, 1980
- CIL’s 0.7 and 0.12 Hectare Incineration Site for Hazardous Waste and Commercial Waste Contaminated by Explosives, 1983
4. Closure of CIL 1985 + Nobel Beach
5. The Department of Defence in Parry Sound
6. History of Nobel’s Water Treatment Plants
- Nobel Water Treatment Plant Sourced from Guncotton Bay, 1991
- Parry Sound Fails 1/4 Parts of Provincial Inspection
- McDougall Fails 2/4 Parts of Provincial Inspection
- Water Records
- McDougall Connects to Parry Sound’s Water for $5,666,013
- Local Wells Dry Up as a Result of Blasting
- Highway 400 Bypasses CIL/DIL Properties
7. CIL/DIL Lands 2005-Present
- CIL’s Proposed Severance Plan, October 2005
- Retained Nobel Lands (CBRE Flyer)
- MPAC Changes on CIL Property, 2006
- McDougall Township Zoning of CIL/DIL Properties
- Brownfields Redevelopment
- Grandview Estates Proposed Developments 2017
- Decommissioning Laws
- Reported Monitoring Wells
- Golder Associates
- Current Owners of CIL/DIL Land in Nobel
- Summary: How Much Does McDougall Township Know?
8. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
9. Cancer Care Ontario Statistics
- Parry Sound Districts Crude Cancer Rates vs. Age-Sex Adjusted Cancer Rates, Cancer Care Ontario 2002
- Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)
- Statistically-Significant Statistics
- Lay-Knowledge and Citizen Science
10. Moving Forward: Further Research + Legal Options
- Soil, Water or Groundwater Testing
- Enforce an Investigation Through the Environmental Bill of Rights
- Have a Backer: the Canadian Environmental Law Association
- Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) Request
- Litigation Option A: Pursuing a Negligence Claim
- Litigation Option B: Pursuing a Nuisance Claim

DISCLAIMER

The properties in Nobel that are primarily researched for being the creators of environmental contamination are CIL, BCL and DIL. However, as these properties have changed ownership several times since 1910 they are often referred to within this document as the “Nobel Lands”.

In order to avoid confusion, the Nobel Lands are sometimes also referred to as CIL, since CIL was the primary owner and operator of the munition production from 1910-1985. Also, CIL is how most local residents have come to know and refer to the properties.

The lands that are examined for environmental contamination (on both sides of Nobel Road or the old Highway 69), which were once owned or operated by CIL, have passed through the following companies:

- Canadian Explosives Limited (CXL)
- British Cordite Limited (BCL)
- Canadian Industries Limited (CIL)
- Defence Industries Limited (DIL)
- Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI)
- Akzo Nobel Canada Inc.
- Akzo Nobel Paint Coatings
- (possibly currently) Pittsburg Paint and Glass (PPG)

Sections of the land formerly owned by CIL are now owned by:

- Grandview Estates
- Township of McDougall
- Weeks Construction

Within this research paper, I have tried my best to be as clear and concise as possible regarding the source of my information while protecting the anonymity of local sources (e.g. lay knowledge) and limitations of the research (e.g. which areas require additional research or have not been researched). This explains in part why there are so many questions posed within the document.

This research and the information in this document does not provide conclusive evidence but, more accurately, circumstantial evidence.

GET INVOLVED

If you are a local resident in the area or you are interested in getting involved to pursue further research (eg. FIPPA requests or water/soil/groundwater samples) or supporting the local residents in Nobel, Parry Sound or surrounding area (e.g. networking, expertise or donations), please send us an email or Facebook message and we will connect you with those that have rallied around this cause.

Parry Sound Project Report

  1. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  2. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  3. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  4. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  5. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  6. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  7. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  8. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
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  11. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  12. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  13. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  14. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  15. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  16. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  17. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  18. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
  19. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, page 4.
  20. StatsCan.
  21. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  22. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  23. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  24. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  25. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  26. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  27. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  28. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
  29. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, page 4.
  30. StatsCan.
  31. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  32. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  33. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  34. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  35. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  36. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  37. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  38. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
  39. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, page 4.
  40. StatsCan.
  41. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  42. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  43. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  44. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  45. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  46. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  47. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  48. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
  49. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, page 4.
  50. StatsCan.
  51. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  52. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  53. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  54. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  55. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  56. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
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  58. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
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  60. StatsCan.
  61. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
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  63. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  64. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  65. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
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  68. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
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  70. StatsCan.
  71. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  72. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  73. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  74. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  75. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
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  77. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  78. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
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  80. StatsCan.
  81. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  82. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  83. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  84. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  85. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  86. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  87. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  88. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
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  90. StatsCan.
  91. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  92. Peter McVey, “An Overview of the Village of Nobel,” File 4164, Museum on Tower Hill, February, 4 1985.
  93. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, Page 5.
  94. Reg. Honley, “A Short History of Nobel Works,” File ALE 296J-2, Museum on Tower Hill, March, 1986.
  95. “Rooted in Stone Reflections on West Parry Sound’s Past,” DVD, Ontario Visual Heritage Project, 2009.
  96. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  97. Carnegie, David. The History of Munitions Supply in Canada 1914-1918. New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1925. Accessed on Wikipedia, May 10, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario.
  98. “History of Nobel.” Parry Sound Library, Accessed May 10, 2017, https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/nobel-history.
  99. “Boomtown: Explosives Manufacturing in Nobel, Ontario during the Second World War,” Essay, Museum on Tower Hill, date unknown, page 4.
  100. StatsCan.