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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.