South Bruce will be reviewing its recent activities to provide residents with more information on the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) project.
Over the past month, the South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Team has organized and supported several activities, engagement events, communications, reviewed study work, and undertaken items related to the proposed project.
The team recently organized a breakfast discussion between community members and staff from the Canada Nuclear Safety Commission and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
A report from the team says, “more than 130 people attended this free event at the Teeswater Town Hall on the morning of Friday, Aug. 16, including South Bruce community members, individuals from neighbouring municipalities, elected officials and others.”
Both the commission and agency provided presentations to the attendees and spoke with community members at their booths.
The team also set up a booth at the 168th Teeswater Fair on Aug. 17 and 18 to answer questions and share information. The commission and agency were also present to talk about their work.
A couple of information sessions about the proposed project were held last month which saw about 20 participants.
Staff also facilitated a tour to the Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Nuclear Sustainability Services – Western Facility on Aug. 6. The trip included 13 community members where they learned about the nuclear industry, safety procedures, and how nuclear waste is stored.
The Community Liaison Committee also had its monthly meeting a few weeks ago, which featured a presentation on how the municipality’s 36 guiding principles are being addressed, specifically safety and the environment. The next meeting is set for Nov. 18.
To help keep residents informed, the municipality mailed out the 36 guiding principles for the proposed project to all households in South Bruce.
Currently, the team has three more engagement sessions booked in September and another which has yet to be confirmed.
Additionally, the team is planning on touring the OPG facility again next month and those interested in attended can visit the municipal website here.
A tour of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Oakville site is also being planned for Sept. 19, and people who would like to attend can contact Site Engagement Associate Dorian Charette at dcharette@nwmo.ca.
These activities are being held ahead of the referendum this October, which will decide if the municipality wants to be the community which will store Canada’s used nuclear fuel.
Council will be reviewing this update during its meeting on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.
