The International Longshoreman’s Association is taking issue with the Saint John Port Authority’s standards for cleaning up the old Lantic Sugar refinery site. The site is at the centre of a deal that would allow Irving Oil to build its headquarters on Long Wharf. The port says it won’t take ownership of the land until the metals are removed. But ILA Business Agent Pat Riley tells CHSJ news the port authority isn’t pushing for a thorough clean up.
Under the deal, the city would sell the land to Irving Oil for 1.2 million dollars, which would then swap it with the port authority for Long Wharf where Irving Oil plans to build its headquarters. Riley says tax payers should not be on the hook for cleaning up the contaminated land in the future. He says that liability should fall to Irving Oil. The company is currently in negotiations with the city.
