MPP Andrea Horwath slammed the McGuinty government’s environment ministry for failing to review and update certificates for operating pollution- inducing factory smoke stacks.

A decision denying the community a review of Dofasco’s aging certificates under the Environmental Bill of Rights is “a real slap in the face to all the people who repeatedly suffered deluges of greasy soot in their homes and on their properties.”

“It’s a sad day when the Ministry of the Environment refuses to move to better protect the environment,” Horwath said.

Horwath said certificates of approval were issued in 1978, 1995 and 2001 using “yesterday’s standards” and aren’t adequately enforced due to lack of inspectors and Liberal cutbacks to the ministry.

“The residents of Hamilton work hard at being environmental leaders, but the government is at the back of the pack,” Horwath said.

New Democrat MPPs in Hamilton will pursue the issue with Environment Minister John Gerretsen after the Ontario Legislature resumes sitting on March 17.