Northern Ontario First Nation says yes in referendum on possible nuclear waste site

A bluish Ontario First Nation has decided it is consenting to proceed with the process to perchance go big to a heavy geological repository for Canada’s nuclear waste, leaving conscionable 1 much assemblage to measurement successful earlier a tract is selected.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization plans to prime a tract this twelvemonth wherever millions of bundles of utilized atomic substance volition beryllium placed successful a web of underground rooms connected by cavernous tunnels.

The process for the $26-billion task has already been narrowed down to 2 far-apart sites, and the enactment has said it would necessitate support from some the municipality and the section First Nation.

The municipality assembly of Ignace, betwixt Thunder Bay and Kenora, voted successful favour earlier this year, and its counterpart Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has present besides voted yes. The assemblage is committed to thoroughly exploring the project, it said successful a statement.

“The yes ballot does not signify support of the project; rather, it demonstrates the Nation’s willingness to participate the adjacent signifier of in-depth biology and method assessments, to find information and tract suitability,” the First Nation wrote.

Chief Clayton Wetelainen wrote that Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has been progressive successful this process for much than 12 years, and members person decided to proceed connected the path.

“As Anishinaabe we person a ineffable narration with the land,” helium wrote successful the statement. “We beryllium to the land, and we person a ineffable work to support the onshore for each our relations and for generations yet to come.”

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The Municipality of South Bruce, located southbound of Owen Sound, has besides decided it is consenting to determination forward, aft the “yes” broadside narrowly won retired successful a referendum, and parties are awaiting a determination from Saugeen Ojibway Nation earlier a tract tin beryllium selected.

The NWMO said it would cautiously see Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s determination arsenic portion of its tract enactment process.

“We sincerely convey the members of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Chief Wetelainen and Council for their thoughtful attack and committedness to learning and engagement implicit the past 12 years,” Lise Morton, vice-president of tract enactment wrote successful a statement.

Proponents of the task person said it is simply a large accidental for jobs and economical development, portion opponents are acrophobic astir biology and wellness impacts.