RCMP should investigate Flamborough property notorious for dirt dumping: MP

A Hamilton-area MP says the RCMP should investigate a Flamborough property notorious for being the site of dirt dumping.

David Sweet, a Flamborough-Glanbrook Conservative MP, wants the agency to intervene at Waterdown Garden Supplies Ltd. on Highway 5 because of "alleged links to organized crime and related illegal activities."

"This matter requires the immediate attention of the government and the RCMP," he said in a letter to Bill Blair, federal minister of organized crime reduction, and Ralph Goodale, public safety minister. 

It needs to intervene to deal with organized crime in the city "before that violence becomes more widespread and innocent civilians get caught in the crosshairs." he said. He was referring to Waterdown Garden Supplies and "the broader circumstances" surrounding an involved company called Havana Group Supplies.

Neighbours have long complained about soil dumping at Waterdown Garden Supplies, a composting facility in Troy. The company has faced numerous environmental fines over the years. This includes in 2008, when it was fined $50,000 after it pleaded guilty to violations under the Environmental Protections Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act. The company was violating several conditions, including not monitoring its wells. 

Recent scrutiny, however, has focused on the dumping of excess soil there. Neighbours say trucks arrive day and night, sometimes at a rate of hundreds a day, and dump dirt there. Hamilton authorities say there's an ongoing issue across the city with trucks dumping untested soil from GTHA developments on rural properties. 

The situation at Waterdown Garden Supplies also inspired the province to tighten its dirt-dumping legislation.

But the allegations go deeper. A corporate search lists Gary McHale and William Van Ravenswaay as the owners Waterdown Garden Supplies. McHale says the company's earlier dirt deliveries were to build a 30-foot berm around the property to keep dust and odour contained. He told CBC News that last summer, Havana Group Supplies leased the property and continued to bring in soil, and barred access. He is currently battling Havana in court. 

The Hamilton Spectator cites court documents that link infamous mobster Pat Musitano, a member of the Musitano crime family, to Havana Group Supplies. Musitano was shot multiple times outside his lawyer's office on April 25.

CBC was not able to contact anyone connected with Havana.

In a media release, Sweet called the situation "profoundly concerning." 

McHale said he welcomes Sweet's involvement too.

"It's a brilliant idea that there should be a probe," said McHale, a Binbrook resident.