'No' group may seek legal advice as local council officially declares itself willing host of nuclear waste
Despite a difference of less than 100 votes, there will not be a recount in the Municipality of South Bruce, after councillors decided to unanimously accept the community’s nuclear waste referendum results
“With the electronic voting, it's the hitting of a button and it spits the results out. So, I mean, I think there was a 78 vote-spread between yes and no. I don't know in the history of elections, that has ever been overturned with that far of a spread,” said South Bruce Mayor, Mark Goetz.
Late last month, 1,604 South Bruce residents voted in favour of the rural community hosting Canada’s first permanent underground nuclear waste storage facility. Voting against the idea were 1,526 residents.
Some residents who voted ‘no’ wanted a recount, but that plan has been abandoned following Tuesday night’s council decision. The fight to stop the project, however, will not stop, they say.
“We could look at legal ramifications of the agreement itself, and we most likely will do that. We still don't believe that this is the right project for South Bruce,” said Bill Noll, member of South Bruce’s community movement against the project, called ‘Protect our Waterways-No Nuclear Waste.’
The proposed plan to bury 6.1 million used nuclear fuel bundles under 1,500 acres of farmers’ fields north of Teeswater has been a contentious one, with the surprisingly tight vote doing little to ease that community tension.
“Obviously I'm happy that it's a ‘yes.’ I'm a little disappointed that half our community is upset about the results. You know, that's disheartening to know that almost half our community is sad,” said Shelia Whytock, a Teeswater resident who spearheaded a community group in favour of the project, called ‘Willing to Listen-South Bruce Proud.’
Unofficial results reported by Municipality of South Bruce for the community’s referendum on a proposed nuclear waste project. Oct. 28, 2024. (Source: Municipality of South Bruce)Noll said groups like Protect our Waterways, still opposed to the $26-billion deep geological repository plan, will be taking their concerns to Ottawa.
“We will be going to Parliament, the House Commons, and having three different MPs present our petition and asking the federal government to get involved and to actually stop the process, at this point,” said Noll.
Mayor Goetz said he hopes the time for fighting is over, and South Bruce can move forward, together, as they await word on whether Canada’s used nuclear fuel is coming to his community, or the Town of Ignace in Northern Ontario.
“It doesn't matter how they voted. The results are the results. And now, as a community, we need to accept the results and move on,” said Goetz.
Outline of proposed Deep Geological Repository to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel, 550 meters underground. (Source: Nuclear Waste Management Organization)The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) still needs “willingness decisions” from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation before picking a preferred site for the project.
The NWMO wants to pick a site by the end of the year, but officials with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation said they will not hold a community vote any sooner than next year.
By “delivering a determination of the community’s willingness,” South Bruce will receive $4 million from the NWMO — part of a potential $418-million hosting agreement, should South Bruce be selected to host Canada’s used nuclear fuel forever.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police
A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities.
2 Canadians confirmed dead in Poland, as consular officials gather information
Two Canadians have died following an incident in Poland, CTV News has learned.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls Donald Trump 'funny guy' in Fox News interview
Ontario Premier Doug Ford called U.S. president-elect Donald Trump a 'funny guy' on Wednesday in an interview with Fox News for his comment that Canada should become the United States's 51st state.
DEVELOPING As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York
UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference.
Toddler fatally shot after his 7-year-old brother finds a gun in the family's truck
A two-year-old boy was fatally shot when his seven-year-old brother found a gun in the glovebox of the family's truck in Southern California, authorities said.
Millions in Cuba remain in dark after nationwide blackout
Cuba said it was generating only enough electricity to cover about 1/6th of peak demand late on Wednesday, hours after its national grid collapsed leaving millions without power.
'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.'
Canada Post stores continue to operate during strike — but why?
As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open.
Mattel sued over 'Wicked' dolls with porn website link
Mattel was sued this week by a South Carolina mother for mistakenly putting a link to an adult film site on the packaging for its dolls tied to the movie 'Wicked.'