Demanding safety and accountability in the General Electric site demolition
Our Future Peterborough stands with residents calling for a transparent, safety-focused approach to the planned demolition at the former General Electric site.
The community's concerns
Several buildings at the General Electric factory complex, which is owned by GE Vernova, are slated for demolition in the coming months. The site is known to contain several hazardous substances including asbestos, PCBs, and heavy metals.
The area surrounding the site is densely populated, with many homes, small businesses, and Prince of Wales Public School only steps away. Residents have raised serious concerns about the release of contaminants during or after the demolition, posing health risks to the whole community and especially to children, older adults, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
Of particular concern is the site’s proximity to the school, which is attended by 650 children JK-grade 8. Students could be forced to stay indoors for recess and lunch during the demolition, which would be highly disruptive to their learning and well-being – and even with these precautions, there’s no guarantee that exposure to airborne contaminants would be fully prevented.
Lack of information and transparency
To date, GE Vernova has not shared detailed information about the contaminants on site or the plan for removal and disposal, and it has not meaningfully addressed public concerns about the safety and environmental impact of this demolition.
Precaution and public accountability must guide every decision about this site. Kids, workers, and neighbours should not be asked to assume the unknown health and safety risks of demolition and cleanup, and the community deserves full clarity on remediation plans and safeguards in place before any demolition work begins.
Precaution and public accountability must guide every decision about this site. Kids, workers, and neighbours should not be asked to assume the unknown health and safety risks of demolition and cleanup, and the community deserves full clarity on remediation plans and safeguards in place before any demolition work begins.
Our Future Peterborough echoes the call being made by local residents for the Lakelands Medical Officer of Health and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks to exercise their authority to ensure comprehensive testing and public review.
Sign the Letter to the Medical Officer of Health
This letter is being organized by Peterborough residents. It requests that the Lakelands Medical Officer of Health use his powers under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and work with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to ensure that there is a detailed inventory and testing of the contaminants at the GE site. It asks that the demolition plans be made available for review by the public and by experts to ensure that the health of nearby residents, children attending Prince of Wales Public School, and local workers is protected.
The letter requests:
- An inventory and testing of all hazardous materials and substances that are currently present on the site
- A detailed demolition plan, which must include at a minimum:
- Measures proposed to safely contain or remove contamination from the Site, and
- Measures proposed to prevent offsite contamination and exposure to nearby residents, children and workers during and after demolition
- Public review and comment on GE’s demolition plans prior to demolition.
If you live in the City or County of Peterborough, you can add your signature to show community support for a transparent and careful process. If you live elsewhere, please share this with your Peterborough friends and networks.
