King bylaw investigating after tear gas ingredient released in King

Yorkregion.com
May 10, 2017
By Simon Martin

How does an ingredient from tear gas end up next to a long-established child care centre on sleepy Graham Sideroad in King Township? That’s the question many are asking in the wake of a revelation from the Ministry of the Environment that King business Tactical Ordnance was fined $60,000 for the accidental release of CS powder, an ingredient used in tear gas.

The fact that a tear gas ingredient was on site certainly seems to have caught the township off guard. Township spokesperson Jason Ballantyne said the property in question was granted a minor variance in 2002 to allow a home occupation. The listed occupation was only for firearm repair. Another minor variance in 2012 was granted for the construction of an accessory structure. Nothing on the application stated the owner was going to use it as a business, Ballantyne said.

According to Ballantyne, the township’s bylaw department is investigating the matter. He said King doesn’t regulate firearms, it just regulates land use.

The Ministry of the Environment didn’t notify the township after the initial incident, Ballantyne said.

According to a media release from the Ministry of the Environment on May 12, 2016, Tactical Ordnance Inc., which is located next to the Bradford Progress Childcare Centre East, had control of the pollutant CS powder. It was accidentally spilled from a container, resulting in a discharge into the air at the site.

CS powder is an irritant that is used as a component of some types of tear gas for riot control purposes.

At the time of the discharge, about 16 children and two child care staff members were outside on a playground at the child care centre.

Wind blew the CS powder onto the playground, causing the children and staff to experience adverse effects including sore and burning throats, coughing, difficulty breathing, and watering eyes.

Tactical Ordnance Inc. and Casey Brouwer pleaded guilty to one offence each for failing to notify the ministry of a discharge or spill of a pollutant, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act. They were fined $60,000.

Tactical Ordnance Inc. specializes in custom gunsmithing, performance firearms, and tactical specialty products for law enforcement and civilians.