Canada To Clean Up Abandoned Radar Sites in N. Ontario

"TORONTO -- Aboriginal leaders welcomed an agreement announced Monday between the federal and Ontario governments to clean up 16 abandoned Cold War radar sites in northern Ontario at an estimated cost of more than $100 million.

The province will provide $73 million to clean up toxic materials at all 16 radar sites along the coasts of James Bay and Hudson Bay, while Ottawa will contribute up to $30 million to help clean up 11 of the most highly contaminated stations.

The radar stations, part of the old Mid-Canada warning line, are contaminated with PCBs, hydrocarbons, mercury and asbestos, and must be cleaned up to restore the ecological balance in the area, said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield."

Keith Leslie reports for the Canadian Press June 23, 2009.