The Future of Chlorine Production at Chemtrade
This page documents everything we currently know about the Chemtrade lease extension to allow them to continue producing chlorine at 100 Amherst Ave, just south of Blueridge. It is regularly updated with additional information as it becomes available.
Overview
Chemtrade makes chlorine at their Amherst Avenue site, largely for use in purifying water. Their current lease allows chlorine production until July 2030, and they are looking for a “long-term” lease extension.
Chlorine gas is a highly toxic chemical, and its production carries risk. That said, it is also highly useful, and all of Metro Vancouver’s drinking water is purified with chlorine made at this plant. Many other water utilities use chlorine from the same source.
The decision to extend the lease – or not – isn’t a simple one, as there is no clearly obvious answer. The documents referenced on this page may be helpful to those seeking information to help them come to an informed decision.
The government entities making the decision about renewing that lease are the Port of Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver. We’re told the DNV is reviewing the issue and looking for public input at this time.
If you’d like to make a comment to the District, you can send an email to the Mayor and Council, or you can attend a meeting and ask to speak on the topic for up to three minutes.
The Port of Vancouver has a Contact Us page on their website.
Chemtrade Plant Tours Available
Chemtrade’s tour opportunity is closing for the season. The last chance to tour the plant is on October 9, 2024. If you are interested, get your reservation in soon.
Interested community members are invited to tour the Chemtrade facility. Tours will happen on Thursday mornings from 9:30 – 11 am and include a safety briefing and walking tour. Tours are limited to approximately 10 people and registration is required. If you are interested, send an email to Amy Jonsson at ajonsson@chemtradelogistics.com to reserve your slot. Tour participants will be provided with PPE and are asked to wear long pants, long sleeved shirts, and close toed shoes.
Articles from Local Media
- Website and Ads Opposing Chemtrade Lease Extension Were Created by a Chemtrade Competitor – published by the CBC, September 11, 2024
- Chemtrade Chlorine Plant – Assessing the Risks – published in the July 2024 Blueridge Bulletin
- Chemtrade Launches Public Engagement with Open House Thursday – published in the North Shore News, June 3, 2024
- Maps Raise Prospect of Disaster Near North Vancouver Town Site – published in the North Shore News, May 25, 2024
- Chemtrade Seeking to Continue Liquid Chlorine Production in North Vancouver – published in the North Shore News, April 30, 2024
- North Vancouver Chlorine Leak Warning a False Alarm – published in the North Shore News, November 1, 2023
Publications and References from Chemtrade
- Chemtrade North Vancouver Community Update, Issue 3 – published October 28, 2024
- Chemtrade North Vancouver Community Update, Issue 2 – published August 1, 2024
- Chemtrade North Vancouver Community Update, Issue 1 – published May 21, 2024
- http://askchemtrade.ca/ – website created by Chemtrade to provide more information and allow the public to ask questions
- Chemtrade’s Director of Corporate Communications, Amy Jonsson, has offered to answer questions about the plant and lease extension. You can reach her at ajonsson@chemtradelogistics.
com. - Documents provided by Chemtrade at the June open house:
- Ad for Chemtrade Open House – published in the North Shore News
- Invitation to Chemtrade Open House on June 6, 2024
Additional Sources of Information
- https://www.keepnorthvansafe.ca/ – A website created to oppose the Chemtrade lease extension.
- When this website first appeared it was unknown who created it. No attribution was given on the website.
- A September 11, 2024 CBC article revealed that it was created by K2 Pure Solutions, a Chemtrade competitor.
- K2 Pure Solutions also anonymously funded a number of ads on Instagram and Facebook. At least some of those ads presented an alarmist point of view about Chemtrade’s activities.
