Kincardine Council received an updated impact assessment surrounding the proposed Bruce C project.
In late 2024, the municipality was informed by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada that a full assessment for the project would be necessary.
Cherie Leslie, the municipality’s Project Coordinator for Nuclear Strategy, says that Bruce Power wanted to further consult with Saugeen Ojibway Nation before continuing with the planning process.
“IAAC did pause the planning phase – the first phase of the process – based on the request from [Bruce Power]. They were looking for more time to engage with SON on a few items.”
Bruce Power and IAAC staff are conducting public engagement activities including online engagement platforms, community open houses, table talks and pop-ups at community events.
While the planning phase of the expansion project is in the initial planning phase, the province also made an announcement for the Municipality of Port Hope.
Leslie says that that announcement came with some interesting discussion points.
“One being the province provided $1 million in up-front capacity funding for the Municipality of Port Hope to participate and engage the community through the IAAC process.”
There was also a commitment that should Port Hope’s project advance, there would be up to $30 million in infrastructure funding for the community and a municipal hosting agreement.
Leslie says that doesn’t align with the work that Kincardine had completed in 2024.
She says that the Municipality of Kincardine is going to continue the work they started last year with the help of the Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities (CANHC).
“We’re all kind of advocating as existing host communities for similar treatment, and so we’re using those tools to continue to advance some discussions.”
The Bruce C project is currently in the Planning phase (step 1) which includes several activities for Bruce Power and/or IAAC to complete:
1. Share information from the Bruce C Project Initial Project Description and engage with Indigenous Nations and Communities, local municipalities and the public.
2. Continue to collect socio-economic and environmental data to establish a baseline of existing conditions in the areas surrounding the Bruce Power site.
3. IAAC shares the Summary of Issues and Bruce Power forms a response that outlines how Bruce Power intends to address the issues raised.
4. IAAC shares the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines, which defines the studies and information required for Bruce Power to include in the Impact Statement (Phase 2).
The Bruce C Nuclear project proposes to add 4800 MW of new nuclear generating capacity to the existing Bruce Power site. On October 30, 2023, Bruce Power issued the notice of intent to submit an application for a licence to prepare site and commence the impact assessment process.
—-
1/Kincardine’s Project Coordinator for Nuclear Strategy Cherie Leslie
[CLIP] …number of items
2/Cherie Leslie is the municipality’s Project Coordinator for Nuclear Strategy
[CLIP] …advance some discussions
