SAINT JOHN/MENAQUESK TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE WOLASTOPIYIK/ MALISEET – The Saint John Community Coalition, represented by lawyers from Ecojustice, is in court today to argue that the group should be included as an added party in American Iron and Metal’s (AIM) attempt to reinstate its approval to operate its scrapyard in Saint John, New Brunswick.
Following a nearly uncontrollable fire in September 2023, the provincial government stepped up to protect community health and suspended AIM’s Approval to Operate under the Clean Air Act. A task force put together after the fire stated that central Saint John is an inappropriate and unsafe location for a scrapyard of this nature. The provincial government has since declined to renew AIM’s Approval to Operate following its expiry in April 2024.
AIM filed two requests for judicial review to challenge the government’s decisions. The Saint John Community Coalition wants to participate as an added party in both cases.
For the past 13 years, Saint John Community Coalition members have suffered adverse impacts to their physical and mental health, properties, and daily activities because of the day-to-day operation of the AIM scrapyard.
Under the law in New Brunswick, the group believes that they have a right to have their voices and concerns heard by the court.
Sarah McDonald, Ecojustice lawyer said:
“The AIM scrapyard has a poor environmental track record that has repeatedly impacted the surrounding community, including many members of the Saint John Community Coalition. This perspective is important for the court to hear.
“Because our client has an interest in AIM’s case and could be negatively affected by the outcome, the Rules of Court of New Brunswick give them the right to participate as an added party.”
Saint John Community Coalition said:
“For more than a decade, we’ve sounded the alarm that the AIM scrapyard poses an unacceptable risk to our members and the surrounding community. We’ve seen numerous fires and explosions occur and faced poor air quality because of the facility’s operations.
“We’re in court today to fight for the right for our voices and concerns to be heard. The AIM scrapyard is no good for our community and should remain closed.”