The agreement between the municipality of South Bruce and Canada’s Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) was signed following a vote by the municipality’s council on 1 May. The area is one of two potential host sites for a deep geologic repository selected in a process launched by the NWMO in 2010.
The NWMO is tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come. It is working to identify a suitable site – with informed and willing hosts – for a deep geologic repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. Over the past 12 years or so, 22 communities that proactively expressed interest in taking part in the process have been narrowed down to two areas: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area; and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area. Both are in Ontario.
The hosting agreement maps out what happens if South Bruce decides it is a willing host and is selected for the NWMO project. It also sets out how South Bruce would exit the process if it is not a willing host, or if it is willing to host but not selected by the NWMO.
“Throughout the process, council has focused on ensuring the project would meet our community’s shared principles,” South Bruce Mayor Mark Goetz said. “This agreement represents our best efforts to do that. It will help people better understand what the project could mean for South Bruce and help them make an informed decision in the referendum.”
The municipality is to hold a referendum in October to ask voters if they are willing for South Bruce to declare itself to be a “willing host”.
“The Municipality of South Bruce also understands and respects that Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation have their own discussions with the NWMO regarding the Project and will express their willingness decision in their own way,” the municipality noted.
The Township of Ignace signed a hosting agreement with the NWMO in March
Source: World Nuclear News