NDP Leader Howard Hampton said that the third incident in less than 18 months at a Toronto west-end scrapyard, proves once again that Ontario badly needs a Community Right-to-Know law.

“Thousands of west end Toronto residents are faced with serious questions about how safe it is to live in close proximity to a scrapyard and the toxic chemicals they are exposed to in their day-to-day lives. Dalton McGuinty doesn’t get it – this is about public safety!” said Hampton.

Following two serious industrial fires in August 2006, and August 2007 at the yard located in the Keele/Rogers area, the latest incident – an explosion that blew out windows of neighbouring homes and caused at least one injury – is yet another example of why Ontario needs a Community Right-to-Know law.

The New Democrats will bring back the Community Right-to-Know bill introduced last year and killed by the McGuinty Liberals. The bill would require manufacturers to label products that have known or suspected toxins and establish a ‘pollution inventory’ so working families know what pollution exists in their community. It would also make sure fire departments would be informed of every hazardous substance in local businesses so that they would know whether dangerous chemicals were going into the air in case of fire.

“Dalton McGuinty got it wrong when he killed the NDP’s Community Right-to-Know bill. Families deserve to know when they are being exposed to toxins in their day-to-day lives,” said Hampton.