The Montreal Gazette reports today that, “City of Montreal officials have joined critics from across Quebec and Ontario in condemning a decision to allow a huge shipment of radioactive waste to travel through the St. Lawrence Seaway. …’If ever there was a time to go back to the drawing board, it is now,’ Alan DeSousa, vice-chairman of Montreal’s executive committee, said Sunday in condemning the commission’s decision. In October, DeSousa said, Montreal city council passed a resolution unanimously opposing the shipment because of the risk it presents not just to Montreal but to communities all along the St. Lawrence River and around the Great Lakes. …Exposing that water system to the risk of an accidental spill of radioactive material cannot be underplayed, DeSousa said…”
The Gazette highlights that, “The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a binational coalition of more than 70 municipalities in Quebec, Ontario and Great Lakes (also opposes the shipments). Over the weekend, the group and others, including the Council of Canadians, vowed to continue to protest until the federal government overturns the decision. The Montreal-based Canadian Coalition on Nuclear Responsibility (said) the shipment should stay put, where it poses no safety risk, ‘until this issue has been fully debated and Canada has set a policy on nuclear radioactive waste, its transport and exportation’…”
On Sunday, the Toronto Sun reported that, “A Commons committee intends to grill members of the Canada’s nuclear regulator and Bruce Power over plans to ship used radioactive generators through the Great Lakes. The natural resources committee has passed a motion to study the transport of radioactive waste that includes a request for testimony from Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and Bruce Power. NDP natural resources critic Nathan Cullen said Sunday dates hadn’t been confirmed but the committee hopes the parties will appear before March.”
The Gazette also notes, “The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission said Friday it will issue a licence to Ontario’s Bruce Power plant giving it permission to ship 16 school-bus-size decommissioned steam generators through the Great Lakes and the Seaway to a recycling plant in Sweden. …The permit issued to Bruce Power by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is good for one year. Bruce Power officials have said it is unlikely the nuclear waste will be moved before April.” The Toronto Star has reported that, “A timeline for the move is yet to be set. A licence still has to be granted by Transport Canada and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Bruce Power must also receive permission from the United Kingdom, Norway and Demark to move the generators through their waters.”
The Montreal Gazette reports that, http://www.montrealgazette.com/Nuclear+shipment+angers+municipalities/4235608/story.html.
