Some Wood Buffalo councillors say not enough evidence showing re-entry is safe
The managing director of the Alberta Emergency Management Agency was grilled by residents and councillors from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo over whether it is safe to return to Fort McMurray.
Councillors from the region, which includes Fort McMurray, listened Tuesday to a report about the Alberta government's re-entry plan.
The managing director of the AEMA talked about a lack of accommodations, some logistics, and what people should expect. But it was over soil testing that council spent nearly two hours debating during a meeting at Edmonton city hall.
Forty soil tests were conducted in six of the city's 17 neighbourhoods. Council was told these tests were done on the neighbourhoods that were badly damaged, and that more detailed health tests and samples are to be completed.
Coun. Allan Vinni said he was not reassured by the tests because they represent too small a sample size.
"They didn't test my neighbourhood which was the fourth hardest hit," Vinni said. "I'm telling you, sections of Saprae Creek are just as devastated as Beacon Hill, Abasand or Waterways.
"It's fine to go back and take a look. I totally get that. Nobody is going to die from that. We're weeks or a month out from considering to take your family back. I just want people to understand that."
Coun. Colleen Tatum was also dissatisfied by the re-entry presentation. She wanted to see more detailed test results before she goes back, especially before she brings her three children.
"I have little two-year-olds, they lick things," Tatum said. "I want to know how far out can those contaminants spread by air and I want actually tests to show me that they've tested five to 10 feet from a burn site."
Waterways resident Tracy Holland attended the council meeting to get more information on air and water quality. She was not pleased by the answers she got.
"It solidified for me that it's not safe. It solidified to me that testing has not been completed in the areas where it needs to be," she said. "To be going home and putting your child in a mask and make sure they don't play in this area; make sure your dog doesn't go here."
Holland will wait for more tests before she heads back.
She wants to go back to her burned-out home to retrieve a keepsake from her late father. But she says concerns of her family's health will allow her to hold off for now.
But Coun. Keith McGrath said he was satisfied with the results of the presentation. He said residents have a choice.
"We are not ordering anyone to go back," he said. "If you don't feel safe, don't go."
Premier Rachel Notley addressed the safety concerns earlier in the day during a news conference.
"We're taking advice from officials," said Notley. "And we are making the best decisions we can based on the advice and the recommendations of officials who are the experts in safety, as well as balancing the different safety challenges that exist with re-entry."
The first phase of re-entry to Fort McMurray and surrounding communities begins Wednesday morning for the Lower Townsite, Anzac, Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, and Gregoire Lake Estates.
