COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE

The Algoma Community Liaison Committee (ACLC) was formally established in November 2008 as conditions required by the ministry for Algoma Steel's Certificate of Approval 2182-7H2GVG issued in August 2008.  The first meeting of the original members was held on November 05, 2008.  

The objectives of the committee established by Algoma Steel Inc. (ASI) include: 

• Keep the community informed about the operations of the facility in relation to the requirements of the approvals in effect. 

• Keep the Company informed of any community concerns about the operations of the facility. 

• Serve as a forum for dissemination, review and exchange of information related to the environmental impact of the facility. In order to ensure the objectives of the CLC are met, the Company will provide information to the members as necessary on an ongoing basis. 

Unlike the other steelmakers in Ontario, ArcelorMittal Dofasco (AMD) and Stelco in Hamilton, ASI does not allow general members to attend CLC meetings.  Since the meetings are exclusive to its members and approved guests of ASI, it is important that all members of the CLC participate and address public concerns.  Currently discussions and active participation by CLC members is predominately by its public members.  These discussions can viewed in the CLC minutes which are posted on ASI's website.

Despite the objectives of the committee, ASI did not inform the committee of multiple discharges of contaminants to the St. Mary's River.  This includes excess cyanide from their Blast Furnace in 2019 which they received a fine from the ministry and two large emissions events, one occurring on March 09 (4.78 million litres estimated by ASI) and an event under investigation by the MECP that occurred on October 18, 2019 where contaminants entered storm drains.  Major emissions events have received little acknowledgment by ASI or discussions in their CLC meetings.

To encourage active participation and transparency, members of the general public should contact the member of the CLC that they feel might be the most suitable person to discuss their concern at an CLC meeting.  Specific questions can always be directed to Mr. Fred Post who is the Chairperson for the committee and ASI's Environmental Control Manager.