An organization concerned with a proposal for a deep geological repository [DGR] to store used nuclear fuel in South Bruce, is demanding Municipal council commit to a binding referendum on the plan.
On February 5th, 2021, legal counsel acting on behalf of the group "Protect Our Waterways - No Nuclear Waste" sent a letter to the Mayor and Council members of South Bruce urging the Municipality to commit to a binding referendum requiring a two-thirds majority in order to confirm a compelling demonstration of willingness by the community of South Bruce to host a Deep Geological Repository (DGR). Further, the letter demanded that the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) be compelled to comply with the Ontario Planning Act and South Bruce Zoning By-laws.
President Michelle Stein says the only clear way to determine the community’s ‘willingness’ to host a DGR in South Bruce is through a binding community referendum whereby ratepayers can express their support or opposition to the project.
“Trying to determine the community’s willingness through means other than a binding referendum is illegitimate, undemocratic and has the appearance of seeking to impose the project on the community through stealth methods. It demonstrates a willful process to avoid directly engaging the community on a straight up yes or no question”, said Michelle Stein, President of Protect Our Waterways- No Nuclear Waste.
“POW-NNW will continue to seek a referendum to determine willingness and will not allow Mayor Buckle to break his promise to hold a referendum on the issue”, said Vice-President Bill Noll of Protect Our Waterways- No Nuclear Waste.
Noll points to an April 2016 interview with the London Free Press, where Mayor Buckle stated “If two years from now, if I re-run for mayor and if I get in, I will insist that we have a referendum. Something as important as this I’m not going to let six people (on council) make that decision.”
The group says it should require a two-thirds majority in order to confirm a compelling demonstration of willingness by the community of South Bruce to host a Deep Geological Repository (DGR).
A media release from the organization says the South Bruce Zoning By-law 2011-63 does not authorize a nuclear waste repository in the Municipality. A nuclear waste repository is not a service or utility referenced in subsection 3.1.1 (i) or (ii) nor is the NWMO considered as an agency or department of the Federal Government. Both the Bruce Nuclear Power Development and Darlington Nuclear Power Plant are governed in part by Ontario’s Planning Act. What this means is that NWMO should apply under the Planning Act for amendments to the South Bruce Zoning By-law. The primary benefit of this regulation would be the opportunity for the public to participate in a transparent process.
Stein added, "As residents, we've lost confidence in the municipality to remain detached in this DGR promotion program and we'd like to see independent studies."
The media release continues, "The current ‘learn more’ site selection process by NWMO does not currently enjoy public confidence or address key issues for determining willingness of the community. The entire process must be opened up to scrutiny through an open and transparent process whereby NWMO complies with the Ontario Planning Act."