'Just the first step': South Bruce signs nuclear waste hosting agreement
During one of South Bruce council’s shortest ever meetings, councillors may have made one of the biggest decisions in the community’s history.
“This is the biggest opportunity of economic development, South Bruce probably will ever see,” said Municipality of South Bruce Mayor, Mark Goetz.
South Bruce has signed a hosting agreement with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) that maps out what will happen if the community decides to host Canada’s first permanent nuclear waste facility.
“It’s a very important moment for the community, because when they make their decision, they need to know what they’re deciding on. The agreement gives them a lot of that information,” said Nuclear Waste Management Site Selection Vice-President, Lise Morton.
Along with guarantees about only burying Canadian-produced used nuclear fuel in the $26-billion underground facility, and assurances about safety and future co-operation, the community of 5,800 residents will be paid $418 million over 138 years, if they are selected to host Canada’s most radioactive waste, forever.
“It does seem like a whole lot of money, and it is, but I encourage people not to get caught up in the money. First and foremost is safety. Safety for the people, and safety for the environment,” said Goetz.
But the forecast of 700 direct, and 1,200 indirect jobs from the project and other economic spinoffs are part of why South Bruce is this far in the process.
“What’s the multiplier effect? What does it mean for investment in the community? New jobs, and business investment. All sectors of the economy can benefit,” said Jim Gowland, local farmer and chair of the South Bruce Nuclear Waste Community Liaison Committee.
South Bruce council meets on May 1, 2024. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)For those opposed to the project, no amount of money will mask the “red flags” they see in the hosting agreement, and safety case surrounding the controversial plan to bury the waste 600 metres underground, something that’s never been done before, in the world.
“I don’t want the high-level loads of radiation going past my farm. I don’t want to live beside a facility where radioactive emissions are being emitted. I’m not interested in being their radioactive experiment,” said Michelle Stein, local farmer and co-founder of No Nuclear Waste-Protect our Waterways.
The next big milestone for South Bruce and this project comes in October, when residents will vote on whether they really do want to host Canada’s most radioactive waste, forever.
Before that referendum from Oct. 21-28, Mayor Goetz wants everyone in South Bruce to read through the 140 page hosting agreement, so the community really knows what its committing to.
“Everybody should know what’s in there. What they’re saying yes to, and what they’re saying no to,” said Goetz.
Despite a clause in the hosting agreement that allows up to four years from now for a final decision, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization said it still does plan to decide whether Ignace in northern Ontario, or South Bruce will host the $26-billion project, by the end of 2024.
A hosting agreement with and approval from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation is also required for the project to move forward in South Bruce.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Pack the macaroni necklace: Lessons on evacuations from a woman who fled one of Canada's worst wildfires
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
NEW 'Ugly produce': One way Canadians are shrinking rising grocery bills
As the cost of food in Canada has risen, grocery shoppers are looking at ways to reduce their grocery bill, and more are choosing price over beauty, turning to companies that deliver so-called 'misfit' produce at a fraction of the cost.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Wildfires burning across Canada: Communities threatened as flames creep closer
Thousands of residents fled Fort McMurray this week, fearing a repeat of the 2016 wildfire that forced out the entire community and torched more than 2,400 homes.
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Father charged with second-degree murder in daughter's stabbing death
A father has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his 34-year-old daughter in southern Quebec.
Most Canadians support abortion, one-third see Tories as least supportive: poll
Eight in 10 Canadians back a woman's right to an abortion and two in three don't want the notwithstanding clause used to restrict access to abortions, a new poll suggests.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.