MONTREAL -- Environment Canada says it has extended its suspension of the City of Montreal's plan to dump eight billion litres of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence River for another week.
A spokesman says the suspension will now remain in effect until the end of the day on Nov. 9.
He says the delay will allow officials to consult an independent scientific panel's findings into the impact of the dump.
Environment Canada received a report from the panel last Friday and is currently reviewing its findings.
Montreal had planned to dump one week's worth of untreated wastewater into the river beginning Oct. 18.
The city says the dump is necessary to conduct work on a large sewer and to relocate a snow chute.
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and the provincial government have maintained that, despite the optics, the controversial plan remains the best option available in terms of time and cost.
Outgoing Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq stepped in and ordered a halt to the work on Oct. 14, saying and independent scientific review was the only way to ensure the river wasn't subject to irreparable harm.
