Ms. Kayla Jonassen and Mr. Phil Savage from Dryden Community Funeral Home made a presentation to Council regarding the addition to the funeral home for a crematorium. Mr. Savage noted that the closest crematoria are a four (4) hour drive either to Winnipeg, Manitoba or to Thunder Bay, Ontario. He also advised that with a crematorium being built in Dryden it would reduce travel costs by up to $600.00. Mr. Savage noted that the crematorium would also include a pet crematorium. He advised that the Dryden Community Funeral Home has already spent $80,000.00 on applications to-date and do not want move locations. Mr. Savage noted that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) are not aware of any property values that dropped due to a crematorium being in a neighbourhood. He also noted that under the revised Ontario regulations under Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act (FBCSA) there are no issues with crematoria being in residential areas. Ms. Jonassen reviewed the implementation process of the proposed cremation process. She noted that there would be one (1) unit for human remains and one (1) for pet remains. Ms. Jonassen provided a drawing of the Thermogenic Series Cremation Unit (CU-150) and reviewed the environmental approvals in Ontario. She also reviewed the Emissions & Modelling Assumptions. Ms. Jonassen noted that there are established crematoria in residential areas within the province. She advised that dental amalgams are on the decline therefore there would be reductions in mercury fillings and emissions.
Comments were received with members of the public who had registered to speak at the meeting.
Ms. Brenda Bell expressed her concern over the crematorium being built at 249 Grand Trunk Avenue as she lives in close proximity of the proposed location. She noted that it is time to remember the safety of the City's residents around the Zoning By-law Amendment. Ms. Bell advised that she has a list of expected contaminants from a crematorium, of which mercury is the most concerning. She noted the risk is too high. She advised that the last time the crematorium issue was discussed she had obtained a petition with over 400 names against it being at this location. Ms. Bell advised that she is not against the crematorium just the location. She advised that exposure by crematoria hasn't been studied and there is no margin for error. It could be an unintentional release. She advised that residents are relying on Council and the Planning Department to recognize that 249 Grand Trunk Avenue isn't the right place for a crematorium and approving the Zoning By-law Amendment wouldn't be a good economic move for the City of Dryden.
Mr. Tommy Johnson noted that he is frustrated to being going through the same Zoning By-law Amendment application again. He noted that there is no safe level of toxins and the crematorium should not be built in a residential area. Mr. Johnson showed a picture of the crematorium in Headingly, Manitoba where a black smoke issue, occurred approximately five (5) years ago. He noted that the crematorium would be too close to the 5 Skillen Complex that is being built. He advised that there had been 58 people working on the opposing crematorium issue for the last two (2) years. Mr. Johnson advised that there needs to be an end put to this application as it is proposed in a terrible location.
Mr. Andrew Reynolds, Inspector with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO), explained to Council that the BAO highly regulates cemeteries and crematoria. He also advised that 90% of bodies are cremated in some parts of Ontario, thus there is a need for a crematorium in the north which would save consumers money. Mr. Reynolds advised that there are minimal to no health effects on the community with a 2020/21 retort, which Dryden Community Funeral Home will be installing, if approved.
Ms. Tracy Pryndik, owner/operator of the Red Lake Funeral Home, noted that she fully supports the Zoning By-law Amendment application at the proposed location. She advised that the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Labour are the experts on this and should be trusted. Ms. Pryndik noted that she has visited crematoriums for well over 20 years and has never seen the black smoke, as indicated in the picture shown by Mr. Johnson, or the loud noise associated with crematoria. She also noted that Riverside Crematorium in Thunder Bay is by Lakehead University and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and the crematorium in Winnipeg is on Notre Dame Avenue near the airport and Red River College.
Ms. Wendy Bell spoke to Council and expressed her view that the crematorium could adversely affect the health of so many residents. It is in the best interest to find another location. She noted that this location is too risky. Ms. Bell advised that Mayor and Council need to do no harm.