Minister allows AIM's Moncton scrapyard to continue operating

New BrunswickPublic Safety Minister Kris Austin has decided to allow a controversial scrapyard in Moncton to continue operating, after threatening to revoke its licence.

Austin informed the City of Moncton of the decision about the American Iron & Metal (AIM) sitedays before the provincial election began, according to a letter the municipality released to Radio-Canada last week.

"Upon careful consideration of the concerns provided to this office in addition to the reports filed by AIM, the compliance actions taken thus far, and the plans AIM must implement to mitigate noise concerns, I have determined that the salvage dealers licence issued to this location will not be suspended or revoked at this time," states Austin's letter, which is datedSept. 13.

AIM'soperations in New Brunswick have faced increased scrutiny since a fire broke out atits Saint John port location last year.With the port site shut down, the company increasingly used the Moncton location off Toombs Streetto ship scrap metal.

Residents likeRoy MacMullinwho live near the Moncton scrapyardraised concerns aboutnoise, dust and debris falling into an adjacent waterway. They have called for the facilityto be relocated.

MacMullindescribed living nearby as "like going to hell without dying."

WATCH | 'That's not acceptable,' Moncton resident says:

Moncton resident disappointed scrapyard can continue operating

5 days ago

Duration 0:45

Roy MacMullin had hoped to see the American Iron & Metal scrapyard near his Lewisville home relocated, saying its noise is unacceptable. Hes not happy the province's minister of public safety has decided against revoking AIMs licence

He saidAustin's decision will affect how he votes in Monday's provincial election.

"I don't need this in my life,"MacMullinsaid in an interview.

Conditions imposed

Instead, Austin's letter says theprovince hasopted to impose various conditions on the Quebec-based company.

The conditions include complying with fire and building codes, provincial legislationand municipal bylaws.

Another requires implementing a sound mitigation plan that involvesa wallof stacked shipping containers.The facility is also not allowed to increase thescale of its operation or to process scrap from outside New Brunswick.

"Should AIM violate the conditions, it will result in a potential revocation of AIM's salvage dealers licence," the letter states.

A request for comment from AIM and a lawyer that has represented the company were not answered Friday.

The licence in question expires on June 30, 2025.

Austin's letter was sent to the city in response to one from Mayor Dawn Arnold in August outlining resident concerns about the scrapyard.

His decision came months after a May 23 letter to the company that said he was considering suspending or revoking itssalvage dealers licence.

That letter saidthe scrapyard is within 300 metres oftwo parks, a playgroundand a children's centre, all of which are against the Salvage Dealers Licensing Act and the Unsightly Premises Act.

Thesalvage dealers licence is one of two provincial approvals the scrapyardrequires.

Earlier this year, its approval to operatethrough the Department of Environment and Local Government was extended to Nov. 30. That extension included a provision toimplement thenoise mitigation plan by Nov. 1.

Some residents have expressed concern about thatplan.

"I think that's just ridiculous," said JoAnn McCarthy told CBC in September, saying that building a wallout of shipping containers could make the noise worse for other residents in the area.