CVC concerned at scattering of remains, offerings
By DAN PELTON Staff Reporter

Consideration by the provincial Ministry of Consumer Services to change regulations regarding the scattering of ashes and other ritual offerings poses problems for the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, which fears for inland watersheds if the regulations are too slack.

Pat Mullin, chair of the CVC board of directors, said as much in a letter to minister Ted McMeekin.

"While the CVC Board of Directors acknowledges the actions of your Ministry in trying to find an approach that would accommodate faith community requests for formal designation of sites where scattering of ashes of cremation on water is expressly permitted," wrote Mr. Mullin, "we are concerned that the directions or 'guidelines' contained in recent announcements and on your Ministry's website fall short in responding to environmental and other concerns that have been raised within the Credit River watershed and elsewhere."

He added that the CVC believes the guidelines drawn up in a recent ministry staff report have not adequately drawn upon the perspectives and practices found in neighbouring jurisdictions, have not appropriately considered the interests of landowners near waterways, and do not contain needed assurances that what the report proposes won't result in unintended adverse environmental impacts.

One of the CVC's concerns was that, since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Great Lakes states do not formally permit the scattering of ashes of cremation on any inland waters, including the waters of the Great Lakes, the province is at risk of creating a potential conflict with its Great Lakes partners and/or unintentionally becoming a destination of choice for such scattering.

"With respect to the latter point, Canadian law appears to permit the unrestricted importation of cremated remains from other jurisdictions," the CVC outlined in a recent letter to the ministry.

In regards to such offerings as fruits and flowers, the CVC correspondence says these materials have been observed to travel several kilometers downstream and along shore.

"Scattering of ritual offerings on water is often associated with ceremonies that extend beyond the disposition of ashes," the CVC said. "[We] have detailed these concerns in previous discussions and correspondence with the Ministry of Consumer Services and other ministries."

In places such as Hong Kong, where scattering of cremated remains at designated sea locations is permitted, the scattering of ritual offerings is limited to no more than a (measuring) cupful of flower petals.

"Given the realities that some portion of any material (ashes or other materials) scattered on water will find its way to adjacent areas and properties," the CVC asks, "is the Province prepared to undertake consultation within those localities and communities that are likely to be most affected based on anticipated demand and/or the existence of conflicting interests?"