City of Ottawa Resolution on Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Chalk River Nuclear Waste Disposal

Reference Number
8
Text

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson  Minister of Environment and Climate Change

House  of Commons   ON   K1A 0C6            

Dear Minister:                                                             

                        Re:  City of Ottawa Resolution on Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Chalk River Nuclear Waste Disposal

On April 14th the City of Ottawa passed a Resolution of Concern  (http://concernedcitizens.net/2021/04/14/city-of-ottawa-passes-resolution-of-concern-about-cnls-radioactive-waste-activities/) about the Nuclear Waste disposal sites at Chalk River on the Ottawa River. The Facility is operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC.) The Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) at Chalk River is of particular concern.  Several million people live downriver in the cities of Ottawa, Gatineau, many smaller communities, and, ultimately, Montreal and other Quebec cities.  Their safety from toxic nuclear waste and other water- borne pollutants is a major public health issue.

The Ottawa Resolution requests the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to initiate a Regional Assessment  (https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency/services/policy-guidance/regional-assessment-impact-assessment-act.html)of nuclear waste disposal projects in the Ottawa Valley under the Impact Assessment Act (2019.)

Safety concerns addressed by the Ottawa Resolution include:

1. the import, transfer and storage of nuclear waste from other sources.

 2. the proposed Chalk River Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) and measures to prevent its deterioration by environmental stressors, precipitation and seepage that would be a source of contamination of the Ottawa River 

3. protection of the river during site demolition and waste transfer activities

  4. timely provision of environment monitoring data downriver    

5. prompt notification of spill/release events.

A full Regional Assessment must include  full consultation and participation of  first nations and indigenous communities to ensure that their rights, knowledge and community priorities are respected.  It would analyze the regional context, provide a big picture review of the cumulative effects of existing and proposed waste sites, and help inform future impact assessments.   The objectives must include protection of drinking water, maintenance of property values, and support for tourism and employment in the Ottawa Valley.

These measures are critical in managing radioactive waste and ensuring that the Ottawa River Valley will enjoy a future free of nuclear pollution. We look forward to reports on the health of the Ottawa River valley and its inhabitants.  Thank you for your support

Sincerely

Charlotte Rigby, Ph.D       Aylmer, Quebec

 cc. Greg Fergus, MP Hull-Aylmer 

cc. Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources        

cc. Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa  

cc. Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area  

cc. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Ottawa Valley)

Submitted by
Administrator on behalf of Charlotte Rigby, Ph.D
Phase
N/A
Public Notice
N/A
Attachment(s)
N/A
Date Submitted
2021-07-09
Date modified: