Nuclear waste decision delayed until 2024
Lise Morton, vice president of site selection for the Nuclear Management Organization (NWMO), says the lack of face to face to communication caused by the pandemic, is the reason it has pushed a deadline to find a home for Canada’s high level nuclear waste, from the end of next year, to the fall of 2024.
“When you think of this project in terms of being a multi year, multi generational, multi decade project, this is really just a small adjustment in time. It’s really just a few months,” she says, from the NWMO’s office in Teeswater.
The NWMO has spent the past decade trying to find a community interested in storing Canada’s most radioactive waste in an underground facility, forever. The Municipality of South Bruce, north of Teeswater, and a site near Ignace, in Northern Ontario, are the final two communities in the running.
“The way I see it, the NWMO feels like they’re losing, and they just want to add some extra innings to the game,” says Michelle Stein, who lives near the proposed underground waste site.
Stein, who is leading a group of South Bruce citizens opposed to the project, believes a community referendum, as soon as possible, is the best way to finally determine the multi-billion project’s fate.
“What are we waiting for? The NWMO has been telling us for 10 years that this is a good idea, everything is safe. The only thing they don’t have yet, is the willing community, and that’s why they keep pushing this forward,” says the leader of No DGR-Nuclear Waste-South Bruce.
Proposed layout of underground storage facility for Canada’s high level nuclear waste (Source: Nuclear Waste Management Organization)
But for South Bruce residents who see more pros than cons with the $26 billion project, time is important.
“This is a forever project, and we should take as long as we need to make sure we make the right decision, whether that’s a yes or a no,” says Sheila Whytock, of Willing to Listen-South Bruce.
South Bruce’s current mayor Robert Buckle says he’d be in favour of a community referendum to decide the project’s fate, but a municipal election in October, could change that. The Saugeen Ojibway Nation, whose territory the proposed project falls within, must also approve the project for it to move forward.
“I don’t think we should be rushing this decision. I think it’s kind of irresponsible to do that, no matter which side of the debate you’re one. It’s a good idea, to take the time to do it right,” says Whytock.
Morton says the NWMO is confident it will find a permanent home for Canada’s high level nuclear waste, in South Bruce or Ignace, by the fall of 2024. Construction could start as early as 2033.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.