Latest news with #GFLEnvironmental
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Landfill operator GFL says ‘garbage juice' pond to blame for recent odours
A pond that collects 'garbage juice' is to blame for the latest spate of complaints about atrocious odour near a Stoney Creek landfill , according to the facility operator. But some skeptical residents say they believe the problems at the former Taro dump are more serious than a faulty leachate pond — and they want the province to step in to stop the 'gagging' stench infiltrating their homes. The private landfill, run by GFL Environmental, has been the target of criticism since an infamously stinky stretch in 2023 dubbed by residents the 'Summer of Stink.' GFL faces 10 provincial offences charges linked to those odour issues, as well as $15,000 in fines currently under appeal. But some nearby residents contend the smelly problem never really went away — and odour complaints ramped up again in early June, with residents expressing fears they would be trapped indoors for yet another summer . GFL did not respond to Spectator questions about the latest resident concerns — but on Sunday, the company emailed residents to say an 'internal review' determined the source of the recent odours is a leachate pond located near the Heritage Green community dog park. A leachate pond near the Stoney Creek landfill and Heritage Green Sports Park. Leachate is the collected garbage juice created when rainfall filters through buried landfill trash. GFL collects the liquid in a pond where it is pre-treated ahead of release into the city sewer system. Furious residents responded Monday by email and on a ' Shut Down the Stoney Creek Dump' Facebook group , describing two weekends of unbearable odours. The pond has been a stinky problem 'pretty much since GFL took over' the landfill during the pandemic, said longtime area resident David Strecker, who has sent photos of the treatment lagoon to the Ministry of Environment with questions about whether it is functioning properly. 'But that is not the only problem, at all,' he said. O'Neil Graham said he doesn't believe GFL's latest explanation for what he described as an odour assault, arguing the stench is worst near the active landfill. Waste relocation work is ongoing at the Stoney Creek landfill. He recalled a recent aborted effort to eat at a fast-food restaurant kitty-corner to the facility. 'We could not even roll down our windows to order without gagging,' he said. The frustrated homeowner off Green Mountain Road said he woke up recently at 3 a.m. feeling physically ill. 'The house just reeked, in the middle of the night — and what can you do?' he asked. 'It's not bearable. You shouldn't have to live like that.' Several residents reiterated a theme emphasized by area resident Louise Thompson last week, who told The Spectator she would like the province to at least temporarily shutter the dump until the odour issues are under control. The province has warned some odours should be expected as the company complies with an order to reduce the height of piled trash this year — an effort GFL has said will likely take the remainder of the year. The company email to residents did not specify what GFL thinks went wrong at the treatment pond, which is within a short walk of the splash pad and soccer fields at Heritage Green sports park, as well as a townhouse development off Mud Street. But the email said the company has stopped the flow of leachate into the pond, which will be 'drained to allow for the removal of sediment and sludge.' Once that material is removed, the pond will be inspected and 'any maintenance or repairs required will be completed.' The company is also working on a plan to build a leachate treatment facility for its active landfill. The Spectator reached out last week to the provincial Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks about resident concerns that the pond was to blame for some odours. Spokesperson Gary Wheeler said late last week the ministry was 'assessing potential sources' of the latest bouts of odour, including the pond. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
10-06-2025
- CTV News
Algoma Steel sues contractor for $2M related to workplace fatality
Algoma Steel is suing GFL Environmental for $2 million in connection with the 2023 death of a GFL worker in 2023 at the steel mill. Algoma Steel is suing GFL Environmental for $2 million in connection with the 2023 death of a GFL worker in 2023 at the steel mill. Damien Bryant, 21, of Sudbury, was working at the steel plant as a contractor for GFL in June 2023 when he lost consciousness while cleaning the coke oven at the plant. He later died in hospital. Damien Bryant Damien Bryant was working at the steel plant as a contractor for GFL Environmental in June 2023 when he lost consciousness while cleaning an out-of-service gas line. He later died in hospital. (File) Ontario's Ministry of Labour charged the steelmaker with three violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in May 2024 in connection with Bryant's death. Algoma Steel was charged under section 25 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including one count of failing to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health and safety of a worker in a confined space. The company was also charged with failing to ensure that the provisions of s. 4(2) of Ontario Regulation 632/05 were complied with and for failing to ensure that the provisions of s. 17 of Ontario Regulation 632/05 were complied with. In a statement to CTV News, Algoma said it contracted GFL in June 2023 'to perform specialized work under their supervision.' Algoma not the direct employer 'Tragically, a GFL worker lost their life during the performance of that work,' the statement said. 'This loss is deeply concerning, and our thoughts remain with the individual's family, friends, and colleagues.' 'Despite not being the direct employer of the individual involved, Algoma Steel is the only party that has been charged in connection with this incident,' the statement continued. 'We are defending ourselves against these charges and have filed a civil claim to ensure that the legal process fully and fairly considers the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved.' None of the allegations in the lawsuit have been tested in court. In the suit, Algoma Steel said GFL was selected and paid specifically for its professed competence and experience in performing such high-risk tasks. However, the lawsuit said, GFL failed to comply with terms of its purchase order, including performing services in compliance with safety measures, ensuring its personnel were trained, and have the required skills to perform the services. Specifically, GFL knew that workers should never enter the confined space of the coke oven gas main, because of the toxic air from the sludge. 'Despite this, on June 12, 2023, one of GFL's workers entered the coke oven gas main,' the lawsuit said. 'The individual asphyxiated in the coke oven gas main and was taken immediately to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.' 'Assume all liability' GFL's contract with Algoma stated that it would comply with 'relevant health and safety standards, regulations and legislation,' the suit said. 'GFL agreed to assume all liability under the Workers Compensation Act and carry public liability insurance with limits satisfactory to Algoma's insurance department, as well as comply with all safety rules and regulations.' The statement of claim states that GFL 'is required to indemnify Algoma for all damages, losses, expenses and costs incurred as a result of the breaches of the purchase order.' The steelmaker is also asking that the trial be held in Sault Ste. Marie.
Globe and Mail
10-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Business Brief: Sabia on U.S. hitting pause: ‘Hallelujah'
Good morning. The Globe and Mail's inaugural Intersect conference brought together business leaders and policymakers to plot Canada's next steps as a trade war threatens the country's sovereignty. Below, a look at the risks and rewards for a country on the verge of building big. Defence: Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is too reliant on the United States for security as he announced a significant boost in military spending to meet NATO's 2-per-cent military expenditure target this fiscal year, five years ahead of schedule. Deals: Canadian waste management giant GFL Environmental Ltd. is in talks to sell a stake in its infrastructure arm in a deal that would value the spinoff's equity at about $3.3-billion. Finance: The CEO of the Canadian arm of China's largest bank was fired after pushing to comply with Canadian laws on foreign interference, according to a lawsuit that says his efforts led to clashes with officials in Beijing. Big dreams, big risks Canada should seize the global clean energy opportunity as the U.S. slows its climate ambitions, Hydro-Québec CEO Michael Sabia says, calling the American retreat a 'hallelujah' moment for Canadian leadership. 'If they pause, we go forward,' Sabia said yesterday at The Globe's Intersect/25 conference in Toronto. 'That's our moment – and it needs to be seized now.' Crown-owned utilities such as Hydro-Québec are uniquely positioned to ramp up investment while private markets remain cautious, said Sabia, who also served as CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec for more than a decade. The utility is aiming to boost its capital spending from $8-billion to $12-billion this year to accelerate grid expansion and electrification, he said. Global investment in renewables is hitting record highs, with projected energy spending of US$2.2-trillion in 2025 – double the amount forecast for fossil fuels, Sabia said. Despite political headwinds and inflationary pressures in the U.S. and Europe, the 'underlying signal' from global boardrooms is that capital is flowing into clean power. Sabia also called for smarter risk-sharing between governments and their financing agencies, such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank, to unlock large-scale infrastructure investment. Long-term capital won't fund early-stage, high-risk projects, he said, unless governments step in with 'bridge capital' to shoulder the initial uncertainty. Pushing traditional infrastructure investors to take on startup risk doesn't work, he said. 'It's like asking a hockey player to go play in the NFL.' Sabia's call to accelerate investment is being echoed across the provinces and corporate Canada after Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled plans to implement a streamlined approval process for major nation-building projects such as trade corridors, energy projects and mines. The CEO drew applause when he ended a comment about ramping up investment with a rallying cry: 'Both for the economy now and for our future: Charge ahead. Go forward.' Premiers Doug Ford and Tim Houston – whom the Ontario Premier referred to as a 'stud' as he praised his Nova Scotian peer's work on breaking down interprovincial trade barriers – both sparked applause when they said they had no plans to allow U.S. alcohol on their provinces' shelves. David MacNaughton, a former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. who took the stage afterward, said watching the two premiers talking about working together represented a once-in-a-generation moment where Canadian politicians are united in 'aspirational talk.' 'Trump is forcing Canada to finally get its act together.' The risky business of 'optimism bias' If yesterday was any measure, Canada's leaders do not appear to be suffering from a lack of hope. But a new report from KPMG Canada, set to be released this morning, shows that delivering on those goals will require more than enthusiasm. Corporate leaders expressed strong support for accelerating infrastructure — but also pointed to persistent delays, resource constraints and the need for clearer oversight. Nine in 10 said governments need to unlock public-private capital and streamline review processes to keep pace with rising demand. Most pointed to the need for a national utility corridor and upgrades to ports, which they described as 'woefully unproductive.' And the company's infrastructure experts warned that Canada is entering a 'megaproject era' with limited financial and human resources. Delays and overruns remain common, driven by poor planning, shifting project scopes, regulatory bottlenecks, and what the KPMG report calls 'optimism bias' – underestimating the complexity of large-scale builds. Building in the wrong direction? And it's possible a focus on megaprojects misses a deeper reason Canada continues to lag its peers in business investment and productivity, said Dan Breznitz, Munk Chair of Innovation Studies at the University of Toronto. The country lacks a strategy to capture and control the high-value stages of the industries it supports. 'We are a resource-rich country that can play a critical role in global supply chains,' he said. 'And instead, what we do is dig things out of the ground, mash them so they don't look like rock, send them to Norway for processing, and eventually watch them come back here for 15 seconds of work before going into a battery plant that isn't ready yet.' Ownership and control, not effort or ambition, are what ultimately determine where economic value lands, Jim Balsillie, former CEO of Research in Motion, said in an earlier presentation. 'Canada took a different path by doubling down on low-cost labour without a strategy to own the IP, control the data or capture high-value segments,' he said. 'This is more than a productivity gap – it's a strategic misstep.' With a file from Mark Rendell More from Intersect: Powering back up? Once a market darling for its blend of renewables, utilities and rising dividends, Algonquin Power fell hard under the weight of overexpansion, debt and two dividend cuts. But after shedding its green energy assets and rebranding as a 'pure-play' utility under new CEO Rod West, the company is staging a comeback, David Berman writes – with a 26-per-cent share rally this year and bold promises of renewed profit growth. Investors are buying in, but with much of the rebound already priced in, the next phase hinges on whether Algonquin can actually deliver. Abroad: Investors are eyeing Latin America as they diversify away from Wall Street. Opinion: 'National interest' framework for project approvals must reflect the rights of Indigenous peoples. Download: The June edition of Report on Business magazine. Global markets were mixed as trade talks between the United States and China extended to a second day, raising some hopes that tensions between the world's two largest economies may be easing. Wall Street futures were little changed, while TSX futures pointed higher as oil prices climbed. Overseas, the pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.05 per cent in morning trading. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.4 per cent, Germany's DAX declined 0.44 per cent and France's CAC 40 was flat. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.32 per cent higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 0.07 per cent. The Canadian dollar traded at 73.02 U.S. cents.
Bloomberg
09-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
GFL Is Said to Consider Sale of Stake in C$5 Billion Infra Arm
GFL Environmental Inc. is considering the sale of a stake in its infrastructure arm, people with knowledge of the matter said, in what could be one of Canada's largest infrastructure deals this year. The company is seeking a valuation of as much as C$5 billion ($3.7 billion) including debt for the affiliate, known as Green Infrastructure Partners Inc., the people said. The stake sale is attracting initial interest from potential investors including General Atlantic, Energy Capital Partners and Neuberger Berman, the people said.
Globe and Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Monday's Insider Report: CEO sells US$24-million from an industrial stock after it closes at a record high
Featured below are companies that have experienced recent insider trading activity in the public market through their direct and indirect ownerships, including accounts they have control or direction over. The list features insider transaction activity; it does not convey total ownership information as an insider may hold numerous accounts. Keep in mind, when looking at transaction activities by insiders, purchasing activity may reflect perceived value in a security. Selling activity may or may not be related to a stock's valuation; perhaps an insider needs to raise money for personal reasons. An insider's total holdings should be considered because a sale may, in context, be insignificant if this person has a large remaining position in the company. I tend to put great weight on insider transaction activity when I see multiple insiders trading a company's shares or units. Listed below is a stock that has had recent buying activity in the public market reported by the CEO. Lundin Mining Corp. (LUN-T) On May 22, president, chief executive officer and director Jack Lundin invested over $252,000 in shares of Lundin Mining. He acquired 20,000 shares at a cost per share of $12.6467, lifting the holdings in this particular account to 1,032,598 shares. ** Listed below are three stocks that have had recent selling activity in the public market reported by insiders. GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL-T) With sales on May 9, 22 and 23, founder and chief executive officer Patrick Dovigi sold a total of 500,000 shares at an average price per share of approximately US$48.87 leaving 275,792 shares in this particular account. Proceeds from the sales totaled more than $24 million, excluding commission charges. On May 5, the share price closed at a record high of US$51.58 on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock is dual-listed, trading on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Sun Life Financial Inc. (SLF-T) On May 21, Steve Peacher exercised his options, receiving 80,048 shares at an average cost per share of approximately $66.26, and sold 80,048 shares at a price per share of $87.70, after which this particular account did not hold any shares. Net proceeds totaled over $1.7-million, excluding any associated transaction fees. Mr. Peacher is executive chair of SLC Management, the institutional investment management arm of Sun Life. TC Energy Corp. (TRP-T) On May 23, vice president of project services Troy Tally divested 2,477 shares at a price per share of US$49.7903, after which this particular account did not hold any shares. Proceeds from the sale totaled more than US$123,000, excluding trading fees. Be smart with your money. Get the latest investing insights delivered right to your inbox three times a week, with the Globe Investor newsletter. Sign up today.
