Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia tells some members to evacuate over high benzene levels

The band council for Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia, Ont., is telling some of its members to evacuate their homes due to elevated emissions of a toxic chemical from a nearby plant. 

"Please be advised that due to reported high benzene levels today, June 13, 2025, at the Ada Lockridge and AFN Sportscenter monitors, we are recommending an evacuation of members living between Churchill Road and the first set of tracks on Tashmoo Ave.," the Aamjiwnaang Band Council said Friday. 

The council told affected residents to evacuate to the community centre.

In a statement to media, the band council noted Aamjiwnaang has been in a state of emergency for more than a year. 

"Today's emissions readings are only the latest incident in a years long ordeal regarding high benzene exposure in the community," a statement read. 

The band council issued a letter to politicians across all levels of government calling for more immediate steps to "protect the health, safety and well-being of Aamjiwnaang and its members by reducing the excessive levels of
benzene in the community," in collaboration with the First Nation. 

"This latest spike in benzene emissions comes closely after the passage of Bill 5 in Ontario, which undermines Indigenous consultation and existing environmental protection measures," the letter reads.

"Aamjiwnaang has been suffering severe impacts from local benzene emissions for several years, and fears the implementation of Bill 5 will only aggravate the environmental emergency in Aamjiwnaang by removing the few protections that were in place to protect the community and environment."

It's not the first time the first nation has had to evacuate due to high levels of benzene. The federal and provincial governments previously ordered the company that owns the plant to curb emissions of the chemical after people in Aamjiwnaang reported falling ill. 

The company, INEOS Styrolution, has since said it would be shuttering the facility altogether.

Earlier this month, INEOS Styrolution said it was starting "the final phase of safely decommissioning process units and pipelines" at the facility. 

On Friday afternoon, INEOS said it had completed the decommissioning work that was initially scheduled to last until June 19. 

INEOS had previously warned that elevated flaring would take place during the decommissioning. 

"We sincerely appreciate the community's patience and understanding throughout this process," the company said in a statement. 

In an alert earlier Friday morning, the company said it was "notifying the community as a proactive precaution that hourly benzene emissions on-site have been detected above 67.5 micrograms per cubic metre.

"Additional notifications may occur, however there is no expected impact on the community," the alert said. "We appreciate the community's patience throughout a challenging decommissioning period and can verify the process is now complete."