Municipality reaches deal with province to move Wheatley explosion investigation forward
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has signed an agreement with the provincial Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry to take the lead into the investigation of the source of a major gas explosion in Wheatley.
Officials believe hydrogen sulfide gas exploded on Aug. 26 – destroying or damaging several downtown buildings.
The agreement outlines the ministry’s commitment to identify the source of the hydrogen sulphide gas believe to be the cause and to recommend ways to prevent future gas leaks.
Chatham-Kent Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire said the agreement moves the investigation to the next level.
"We have been preparing the site for further investigation while focusing on public safety," he said. "The safety of our residents remains key for our first responders and the province will be taking the lead on its portion of the work."
Shropshire said the municipality would be meeting with the province and its experts to provide a timeline for residents as soon as possible.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said he is pleased that the investigation is moving forward.
"We are encouraging the province to expedite the investigation process and to determine what can be done financially to help the residents and businesses that have been effected. I'm confident the premier and cabinet is giving the matter strong consideration."
HELP FOR RESIDENTS
Municipal outreach services for Wheatley residents have relocated to the Wheatley Village Resource Centre and Food Bank at 108 Talbot Street East. Case managers will be on site to assist evacuees with housing, food, and other support services. This service will operate Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the week of Sept. 20 to September 24.
Evacuees may also call 519-351-8573 Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and ask to speak with a Wheatley Crisis Case Manager for assistance with housing, food, and other support services.
Residents requiring emergency housing outside of weekday office hours may call the Homeless Response Line (HRL) at (519) 354-6628.
Residents requiring general information should call (519) 360 – 1998 or 311 Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To subscribe to email updates please email ck311@chatham-kent.ca.
The Wheatley Recovery Group has been essential to the recovery efforts as the group has connected residents in need, identified service gaps in the community, and launched the Wheatley BIA Disaster Relief Fund application via the Municipal website.
“Being a member of the Wheatley Recovery Group and the partnership with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent has helped our community because we have been able to identify needs, collect and distribute goods, and connect people who don’t know where to turn,” said Kim Little, treasurer of the Wheatley BIA and Wheatley Recovery Group Member.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'