HAMILTON — An October 21 investigation by The Narwhal is drawing attention to the unfinished cleanup of contaminated sediment in ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s Kenilworth Avenue boat slip.

The outlet reports that a company update dated May 29, 2026 cited pressure from U.S. tariffs and said there had been no further progress since the previous meeting. That is a historical statement reported this week, rather than a new company announcement.

A project with a long history

The federal impact-assessment registry identifies Dofasco as the proponent of a plan to contain contaminated sediment in Hamilton Harbour using an engineered cap and a separate containment area, with monitoring.

The registry’s September 28, 2015 determination said a federal environmental assessment was not required. Its completed assessment status describes that regulatory process; it does not establish that the sediment cleanup was completed.

The Narwhal’s review of company records and restoration-team meeting notes traces delays well before the latest tariff pressures. It reports that work originally expected to finish in 2017 remains unfinished.

The report also describes concerns about PCBs, metals and other contaminants in the sediment. Bay Area Restoration Council executive director Chris McLaughlin told the outlet that clearer commitments and timelines were needed.

Dofasco did not answer The Narwhal’s detailed questions before its report was published, the outlet said. The reporting does not establish a new completion date.

Sources: Rajpreet Sahota’s October 21 reporting for The Narwhal; Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, project 80108.

Editorial illustration of harbour sediment assessment and cleanup planning.