Haldimand–Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is calling on the Ontario government to take full responsibility for a decade-old gas well leak on Forestry Farm Road in Norfolk County.
The leak, originating from a well drilled in the 1950s and re-capped in 2015, has been described by geochemist Dr. Stewart Hamilton as one of the most alarming cases in Ontario, with gas effluent levels tens-of-thousands of times above regulations and leaking into Big Creek.
Brady says millions in taxpayer dollars have been spent on studies and partial funding, but no permanent fix has been found. Residents continue to face strong odours, burning eyes and throats, headaches, nausea, and fears of long-term health effects.
She argues Norfolk County lacks the expertise to solve the problem and that the province should seek federal support, as done in Western Canada. “It’s time to end gas well hell once and for all,” Brady said.
Written by Jeremy Hall