Independent inquiry into CFB Gagetown

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government to order an independent public inquiry into herbicides used at CFB Gagetown and to instruct the Standing Committee on National Defence to complete and publish its contaminated‑sites study. The government responds that National Defence does not plan further inquiries at this time.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada Whereas: Environmental health science and military experts, and the State of Maine's Commissioned Study into CFB Gagetown's Harmful Chemical Use (2023/2024) stated that the Base Gagetown Area Fact-Finding Project was seriously flawed; Environmental health science and military experts have stated that it is highly probable that the CFB Gagetown training area is significantly contaminated with dioxins, hexachlorobenzene and heavy metals, and that some chemicals may remain in the soil for an extended period; During the 44th Parliament, the Standing Committee on National Defence (NDDN) began a study of Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Contaminated Sites, but due to the election being called this critical study was not completed; and Significant gaps in CFB Gagetown's Fact-Finding Project, concerns regarding the chemical industry's involvement in the Health Risk Assessment, and the impacts of hazardous exposures on veterans, families, nearby communities, military personnel, including long-term food safety - require urgent attention. We the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to : Conduct a fully independent public inquiry into the history of CFB Gagetown's toxic herbicide program and the Base Gagetown and Area Fact Finding Project/Report, with the purpose of establishing an accurate account of the chemicals used and verifying findings presented in the Fact-Finding Project; and Instruct the Standing Committee on National Defence to complete its study of the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Contaminated Sites and provide a final report with recommendations.

Government response

Response by the Minister of National Defence Signed by Sherry Romanado National Defence is taking concrete steps to advance whole of Government efforts towards creating a clean environment. With the responsibility to manage more than two million hectares of land, thousands of buildings, jetties, and training areas, National Defence is central to the Government’s commitment to be a responsible steward of the environment. This includes remediating sites formerly impacted by military activities and proactively mitigating the environmental impacts of its current military activities.? National Defence has conducted extensive research since the 1980s into the use and testing of herbicides, including Agent Orange, to better understand the impact of their use at 5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown (CFB Gagetown). This includes detailed investigations in 2005 and 2018 into the disposal of barrels of Agent Orange at CFB Gagetown. Both investigations confirmed that no barrels of Agent Orange have been found. Additionally, in 2005, National Defence, along with Veterans Affairs Canada, Health Canada, and various other departments and agencies, undertook a comprehensive fact-finding investigation to understand the health and environmental risks associated with the past use of registered and unregistered herbicides at CFB Gagetown. This comprehensive investigation included, among other tasks, conducting health risk assessments, tissue sampling of fish and clams from CFB Gagetown to test for dioxin concentrations, and compiling lists of individuals and units present when herbicides were tested in 1966 and 1967. Research for this investigation was conducted by highly qualified, non-government experts, and was peer-reviewed by independent specialists in the field.?In 2013, the United States Centers for Disease Control’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC ATSDR) reviewed the Canadian report and concluded the methods to create it were consistent ATSDR’s own guidelines for evaluating the public health implications of human exposure. This investigation concluded that, aside from the two instances of testing Agent Orange, Agent Purple, Agent White, and other herbicides by the United States military in 1966 and 1967, all herbicides used at CFB Gagetown were regulated and used in accordance with all federal and provincial regulations and scientific policies at the time.? Furthermore, human health risk assessments conducted as a part of the 2005 investigation concluded that most people who lived and worked at or near CFB Gagetown were not at risk of exposure to herbicides. Potential long-term health risks were identified as a possibility only for those individuals directly involved with the application of the herbicides or brush clearings soon after application. As compensation for possible exposure to unregistered United States herbicides between 1966 and 1967, in 2007 the Government of Canada provided eligible individuals with a one-time, tax-free ex gratia payment of $20,000.??? In January 2024, the State of Maine’s Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission released its final report examining potential health impacts associated with historical herbicide use at CFB Gagetown. The Commission included recommendations such as further expert review of existing studies and enhanced support for affected individuals. The Government of Canada is aware of the Commission’s findings and continues to monitor related research and developments. Any new evidence will be assessed in accordance with established scientific and policy processes. To ensure compliance with the most effective and environmentally responsible practices, National Defence will continue to work closely with relevant authorities, including the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government, the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, the Canadian Forest Service, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. National Defence will continue to be a responsible steward of federal lands by protecting land and complying with environmental practices. Given the extensive research and investigations National Defence has already conducted on the use and testing of herbicides at CFB Gagetown, National Defence does not have any plans to conduct further inquiries at this time.