Nuclear Waste Series: Each vote matters as nuclear waste referendum nears
Starting on Monday, South Bruce residents finally get to start voting on whether they want their community to become home to Canada's first permanent nuclear waste storage facility.
"It's not something that we're just hoping will come true. Like if we say yes, the municipality will say yes. And it's kind of exciting to know that we're voting on something that will actually happen or not happen," said Teeswater resident and member of South Bruce Proud-Wiling to Listen Sheila Whytock, who will be voting ‘yes.’
It's been over a decade of discussion over the pros and cons of the $26-billion project that would see 6.1 million radioactive used nuclear fuel bundles, permanently entombed in an underground facility under 1,500 acres of farmers’ fields and forests, north of Teeswater.
The community of Ignace in northern Ontario has already put its name forward as a willing host for the project, now it's South Bruce's turn.
"Is this a fit for South Bruce? Does this fit the description of economic development that we're looking for, to bring us to that next level, to hold the same level of service we have here, and compete with our neighbours," said Municipality of South Bruce Mayor Mark Goetz.
A sign urging South Bruce residents to vote in upcoming referendum on proposed nuclear waste project near Teeswater, Ont. in October, 2024. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
In May, South Bruce signed a hosting agreement with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) that would see the community paid $418 million over 138 years, if it is selected to host the project.
"It's just an experiment and it's not fair to put it on a small community like that and dangling money in front of them," said Teeswater area farmer and member of Protect our Waterways-No Nuclear Waste Anja Van der Vlies, who will be voting ‘no.’
The Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), whose territory the proposed project falls within, will also get a say over whether the project moves forward or not.
In January 2020, 1,232 members of SON voted down a plan to bury Ontario's low and intermediate level nuclear waste within two kilometres of Lake Huron.
A date for a SON community vote on the South Bruce plan has not yet been set and isn't likely to happen before the end of this year, say SON leaders.
Municipality of South Bruce offices in Teeswater in October 2024. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
"Their decision will be as important as our decision, and I'm going to respect that. They will make their decision when they are ready to make their decision, and I'll respect whatever that decision is," said Goetz.
A record setting 59 per cent of South Bruce residents turned out for the last municipal election in 2022. Goetz says at least 50 per cent of the current 4,311 registered voters need to turn out between Oct. 21 and 28, to make the nuclear waste referendum binding. If less than 50 per cent of voters cast a ballot, South Bruce council will decide if the community is a willing host or not.
"This whole referendum is absolutely meaningless if we don't have more than 50 per cent turnout. If we don't have over 50 per cent turnout, our councilors will make this decision on our behalf, and these councilors have all already approved this hosting agreement, so we know which side of the fence they're on," said a Teeswater area farmer and member of Protect our Waterways-No Nuclear Waste, who will be voting ‘no.’
"I'm hoping that there will be a large showing at the polls and I'm hoping that the community is the one that decides this. Should that not happen, council is prepared to make the decision," said Goetz.
"It's just really important that people get out and vote. That we have a strong showing and that we have a strong mandate one way or the other, and we can put this decision behind us and get on with it," said Mildmay area resident and member of South Bruce Proud-Willing to Listen Tony Zettel, who is voting ‘yes.’
"It's just the big elephant in the room, and I really hope that this referendum will provide clarity. Also, that the people that I did talk to who say they're opposed then make that aware when you vote, and don't think it's a done deal because it's not a done deal," said Van der Vlies.
Despite no referendum date set for SON members, the NWMO said they "anticipate" announcing a site to permanently house Canada's used nuclear fuel by the end of 2024.
Voting in South Bruce opens at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, and ends at 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28.
Referendum results are expected on the night of Oct. 28, a result that will likely change South Bruce and surrounding area forever.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
BREAKING Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of B.C. law on opioid health costs recovery
Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that would allow British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
Real GDP per capita declines for 6th consecutive quarter, household savings rise
Statistics Canada says the economy grew at an annualized pace of one per cent during the third quarter, in line with economists' expectations.
Nick Cannon says he's seeking help for narcissistic personality disorder
Nick Cannon has spoken out about his recent diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, saying 'I need help.'
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.