A map of the potential Deep Geological Repository site to store Canada's spent nuclear fuel in South Bruce. (image supplied by Nuclear Waste Management Organization)
The mayor of South Bruce says that he’s pleased with a recent report from the GHD about the proposed deep geological repository that could call the municipality home.
Mayor Mark Goetz says that the municipality’s Community Liaison Committee is also happy with the report, which reviews both the findings from South Bruce staff environmental reports, and examines the updated Confidence in Safety report from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, which was released last week.
“Overall, they’re quite pleased with the findings. This has been a process that they’ve held dear to them since [the committee] started and the main purpose was to get to the bottom of whether this was a fit for the community, so it’s really just part of that process of bringing it back to the community and letting the community learn about it and be ready for the day when the vote finally happens.”
A referendum vote on whether South Bruce will be the site for the DGR is expected later this year, and municipal staff is working on the finalized hosting agreement for the public and council would need to agree to in order for the project to move forward.
He says that when staff presents the final hosting agreement, they will also bring forward the final question which would be on the ballot for voters to say yes or no to.
“Once that hosting agreement comes to council, council will review it. They have been reviewing pieces of it that are finished. When council gives the final say that they support it, then it becomes a public document, and at that time, that question will be posted. We have not seen that final question in front of council yet.”
Last week, a report from the NWMO showed that the proposed site near the Teeswater River was an ideal potential location for the DGR and that the project would not pose a threat to groundwater, or pose a threat to Lake Huron.
“I think it will probably satisfy some of the community. There [are] some members of the community [whose] minds were made up and I don’t think you’ll ever satisfy them,” says Goetz. “But the goal is to put the information out there in front of the folks, let them take that and absorb it, [and] ask questions if they need questions answered, and at the end of the day, prepare them to make the final decision.”
One of the details of the upcoming referendum was whether the vote should be held by paper ballot, or electronically. At a recent delegation presented to council, there was a request for a paper ballot.
Goetz says that after municipal staff work out the logistics of whether to use a paper ballot system or to hold the vote electronically, “[Staff] will bring that back to council at a future meeting; I’m not sure what date that will be. And then council will make the decision on whether we grant the paper ballot, or stick with the electronic process that we’ve had for the last four elections.”
He says overall, he will continue to encourage voters to learn everything they can about the benefits and drawbacks of the Municipality of South Bruce becoming the site for the proposed DGR.
He hopes that people consider the municipality’s 36 Guiding Principles are addressed, and that “[Voters] ask those questions that need to be asked in order for you to make an informed decision.”