Filtration system for toxins at former GM site appears inactive: officials remain silent

A visit Thursday by The Pointer to the former GM property in central St. Catharines, revealed that a system required to filter dangerous cancer-causing chemicals from the crumbling industrial property, appears to no longer be operating. 

More than a week after The Pointer reported that the City of St. Catharines has no idea whether the filtration system to capture dangerous chemicals at the former General Motors property on Ontario Street is functioning; both municipal and provincial officials have refused to address the possible public health risk. 

The system was installed two years ago under the direction of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) after tests revealed that PCBs were leaking from the site at hazardous levels. At the time, the Ministry approved the installation plan and confirmed the system was operational, reporting that PCB levels were no longer a concern. 

The last known Ministry inspection or testing occurred in December 2023. Since then, no updates have been provided by officials from the City of St. Catharines or the Province, despite repeated attempts by The Pointer.

Court documents and land title records obtained by The Pointer confirm that Peter’s Environmental—the company hired to install and maintain the system—placed a lien on the property six months ago for $1.75 million due to non-payment. The lien highlights ongoing financial and operational disputes and raises questions about who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the system remains functional.

It now appears that it is no longer in operation. 

On Friday, October 17, City officials indicated to The Pointer that they did not know if the system designed to keep the public safe is still operating, claiming it is not the municipality’s responsibility. 

“Given the lien is a private matter and the filtration system remains under the jurisdiction of the MECP, the City has not heard from these parties regarding these issues and has not had any discussions regarding this time (sic),” the statement detailed. “We remain committed to addressing what is within the scope of our authority as the City.”

The filtration system, designed to prevent contaminated runoff from reaching Twelve Mile Creek and protect local residents and the surrounding environment from carcinogenic toxins, now has a multi-year gap in operations. It is unclear if anyone has been monitoring the critical filtration system. 

With the lien placed on the property by the company hired to install and maintain it, and the apparent disconnection of the system, residents are unclear of the public health risks. Officials refuse to answer questions, leaving the public in the dark about potential exposure to toxic contaminants.

Disconnected pipes and open hatches suggest the system meant to prevent toxic PCBs from leaking off the former GM property in St. Catharines is not functioning as intended.

(Submitted)

Following an article published on October 17, The Pointer contacted Ward Councillors Robin McPherson and Caleb Ratzlaff about their awareness of the filtration system’s status and what steps they are taking to protect residents. Neither responded.

Councillor McPherson has previously spoken openly about her relationship with the property’s owners, and both she and Councillor Ratzlaff have been involved in organizing community events at the site, including days when residents and children painted pictures on the plywood fencing surrounding the property to beautify the community.

The Pointer subsequently sent a detailed list of questions to all 12 City Councillors and Mayor Mat Siscoe, asking if they had been briefed on the situation, whether any inspections or testing had been conducted and what steps, if any, were being taken to ensure it was functioning.  

Only one councillor, Mark Stevens, responded, writing: “Thank you for your email.”

Staff at the City have previously assured residents they would be kept up to date about any work to monitor and clean up the former GM site. In April, City staff revoked the demolition permit for the property—a procedural step that gives City officials greater authority to enforce compliance and take action if necessary.

However, residents were not notified of this update. The only reason the public became aware of the permit closure was because The Pointer asked City officials directly. This lack of proactive communication highlights a broader pattern that has left residents uncertain about what measures, if any, are being taken to ensure the filtration system and the site as a whole remains safe.

The MECP, which mandated the system be installed and verified its operation in 2023, has also refused to provide any updates on its status. At the time of the last inspection, spokesperson Gary Wheeler reported that PCB levels were no longer a concern.

When asked repeatedly by The Pointer whether the Ministry was aware that the system now appears inactive, and that the contractor hired to maintain it, Peter’s Environmental, had placed a lien on the property for nearly $2 million in unpaid work, Wheeler would only acknowledge receiving The Pointer’s many voicemails and emails. In an email to The Pointer, Wheeler said: “Confirming that I have received your voicemail and email. Regards”.

He did not provide any further comment.

Visual observations suggest the system is not operational. On Thursday, October 23, doors on several large water tanks were wide open. Sections of piping were disconnected. The main power switch on the control panel was turned off. No sound of pumps or water flow was evident, and there were no indications that monitoring equipment is active.

The situation illustrates a broader accountability gap. City officials claim they lack authority to enforce maintenance or inspections on the system, despite having powers under provincial legislation to intervene in matters that could affect public health. Meanwhile the MECP, which directed its installation, has refused to provide updates or confirm whether it is operational. The private contractor that built the system, Peter’s Environmental, has not responded to questions about the system.

Since the October 17 story, The Pointer has received dozens of emails, calls, and online comments from residents expressing concern about the GM site and frustration at the lack of transparency.

Many residents said they were unaware of the contamination issues or the filtration system’s existence until the original article was published. The surge of public attention suggests residents want information regarding environmental and public safety in their community.

The Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks has refused to answer questions about a system installed at the GM site designed to prevent toxic PCBs from leaking off the site. After the contractor that installed the system walked away from the job due to nonpayment, it remains unclear whether the mechanism is still operational.

(Submitted)

Residents will have an opportunity to raise their concerns directly with City officials at an upcoming Port Dalhousie Ward Town Hall on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Grantham Optimist Club, 188 Linwell Rd, and will be hosted by Mayor Mat Siscoe, Councillor Bruce Williamson, and Councillor Marty Mako.

The forum will allow residents to ask questions about local issues, including the uncertain status of the GM site filtration system. After weeks of silence from officials, the town hall may provide the first public venue where residents can demand answers about whether the system designed to protect them from toxic contamination is functioning.

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