Hamilton city council members approved two resolutions this week aimed at shutting down the Stoney Creek landfill, which has been associated with a noxious odor in the area since 2023. During a General Issues Committee (GIC) meeting, Ward 9 councilor Brad Clark proposed one motion urging the province to hasten the closure of the landfill and another seeking a court order to temporarily cease operations at the GFL facility.
Describing the situation, Clark emphasized that the foul smells were not just a minor inconvenience but a persistent and widespread problem affecting residents’ homes. Despite GFL attributing the odors to a leachate pond at the site, Clark expressed skepticism, suggesting that the waste itself might be the primary cause.
Residents of Upper Stoney Creek have been enduring the unpleasant smells reminiscent of rotten eggs and chemicals since April 2023. On Wednesday, a group of around two dozen neighbors gathered outside City Hall to demand the closure of GFL, holding signs and chanting slogans.
Both motions proposed by Clark received unanimous support at the meeting. One motion calls on Premier Doug Ford to instruct the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) to initiate the process of expediting the landfill’s closure. The second motion, developed in consultation with the city’s legal advisor, seeks a court order to halt landfill operations for up to two years or until the public nuisance is resolved.
The costs associated with pursuing the court order would be covered by the landfill royalties account, a fund established by the former Stoney Creek municipality to benefit residents. Clark suggested that one potential outcome of the court order could involve prohibiting the landfill from accepting waste until the odor issues are resolved.
In response to the community’s concerns, GFL area vice-president David Richmond highlighted the facility’s importance to the region’s steel industry. He mentioned ongoing efforts to improve the situation, including enclosing the leachate treatment system and relocating waste as mandated by the province.
During the meeting, Carmelo D’Angelo, representing the community group STAND for Stoney Creek, detailed the health impacts experienced by neighbors, such as headaches and nausea. Tatyana Graham, a resident living near the landfill, shared her struggles with the overpowering odors infiltrating her home, leading to discomfort and difficulties in daily life.
Residents have been vocal about the detrimental effects of the landfill on their health and well-being, with some facing challenges in selling their homes due to the persistent smell. The decision to relocate a planned school away from the landfill area further underscores the seriousness of the situation.
In conclusion, community members remain resolute in their demand for clean air in their neighborhoods, vowing to continue advocating and protesting until the issue is effectively addressed.