MP turns to international law to stop Windsor hum

A member of Parliament is scouring international law in search of a way to put a stop to the mysterious rumbles and hums that have plagued Windsor, Ont. for more than a year.

Residents across Windsor and neighbouring LaSalle began reporting a noise they describe as similar to an idling train or semi-trailer in February 2011.

'If the government won't take action, we'll look for other avenues to get things done.' — NDP MP Brian Masse

Government officials and a consultant hired by the City of River Rouge, Mich., admitted late last year the rumbles and vibrations are an airborne sound wave originating from the general vicinity of Zug Island, home to several industries on the U.S. side of the Detroit River.

Windsor-West NDP MP Brian Masse received a Parliamentary research paper Thursday outlining the options available.

"We found there might be one international law that could be exercised," Masse said Friday in Windsor. Masse said he had few details but admitted that a lawsuit could be possible. He did not say who or what agency could be subject of a lawsuit.

"We need to do more research and that’s going to take place over the next week," Masse said.

The MP said he recently wrote Minister of Environment Peter Kent but that Kent "pushed it aside."

"I was surprised, because we do have a Conservative member of Parliament in the county," Masse said of Jeff Watson, whose Essex riding has also been affected by the noise. "For the minister to disregard the issue is inappropriate.

Masse also wrote Canada's Ambassador to the U.S., Gary Doer, and Ambassador to Canada, David Jacobson.

Masse said Jacobson responded and promised to follow up with Masse at a later date.

Masse also reached out to the mayor of River Rouge. But that city said late last year it has no money to investigate the noise any further.

"If the government won’t take action, we’ll look for other avenues to get this done," Masse said.