Latest news with #Aamjiwnaang
CBC
13-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia tells some members to evacuate over high benzene levels
Social Sharing The band council for Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia, Ont., is telling some of its members to evacuate their homes due to elevated emissions of a toxic chemical from a nearby plant. "Please be advised that due to reported high benzene levels today, June 13, 2025, at the Ada Lockridge and AFN Sportscenter monitors, we are recommending an evacuation of members living between Churchill Road and the first set of tracks on Tashmoo Ave.," the Aamjiwnaang Band Council said Friday. The council told affected residents to evacuate to the community centre. "We have deployed an additional mobile monitor to this area and determine if an additional evacuation is required," the band council said. "We will provide updates as they become available." It's not the first time the first nation has had to evacuate due to high levels of benzene. The federal and provincial governments previously ordered the company that owns the plant to curb emissions of the chemical after people in Aamjiwnaang reported falling ill. The company, INEOS Styrolution, has since said it would be shuttering the facility altogether. Earlier this month, INEOS Styrolution said it was starting "the final phase of safely decommissioning process units and pipelines" at the facility. On Friday afternoon, INEOS said it had completed the decommissioning work that was initially scheduled to last until June 19. INEOS had previously warned that elevated flaring would take place during the decommissioning. "We sincerely appreciate the community's patience and understanding throughout this process," the company said in a statement. In an alert earlier Friday morning, the company said it was "notifying the community as a proactive precaution that hourly benzene emissions on-site have been detected above 67.5 micrograms per cubic metre. "Additional notifications may occur, however there is no expected impact on the community," the alert said. "We appreciate the community's patience throughout a challenging decommissioning period and can verify the process is now complete."
CTV News
09-05-2025
- CTV News
Guns and cash seized from home near Sarnia: SPS
The Sarnia Police Service has seized guns and cash from a home near the city. On Thursday, the SPS Major Case Action Team executed a search warrant at a home at Beaver Circle in Aamjiwnaang First Nation. The team was assisted by the SPS Emergency Response Team, the K9 Unit, patrol, and the Crime and Intelligence Unit. Seized from the home included more than $30,000, a .45 caliber handgun with ammunition, a .22 caliber Blue Line Solutions rifle with ammunition, and other assorted ammunition. According to a news release, the guns and ammunition were 'unlawfully stored.' Three people are now facing charges. A 56-year-old of Beaver Circle in Aamjiwnaang is charged with: Two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm Two counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession Two counts of possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition Two counts of careless storage of a firearm. A 19-year-old of Beaver Circle in Aamjiwnaang is charged with: Two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm Two counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession Two counts of possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition Two counts of careless storage of a firearm Three counts of possession of firearm/ammunition contrary to prohibition order Two counts of breach of conditional sentence order A 22-year-old of Beaver Circle in Aamjiwnaang is charged with:
