Squires shifts blame for St. Boniface soil subterfuge

Ryan Thorpe
08/20/2018 7:00 PM

The provincial government withheld — for at least six weeks — test results that showed soil in South St. Boniface was contaminated with heavy metals, then misinformed media about when the lab results were in and why residents were kept in the dark.

Documents obtained by the Free Press through freedom of information requests on Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires’ email account show the Manitoba government knew soil in the Winnipeg neighbourhood was contaminated with heavy metals — including lead — as early as June 4.

The area is home to many gardens where vegetables are grown. Soil samples taken from eight of those gardens came back with lead levels well beyond acceptable limits.

Lead is linked to developmental and neurological problems, and can lead to permanent and profound health defects. No amount of exposure is considered safe.