Hwy 17 - North Shore

I live in Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, and I travel regularly to Thunder Bay to see family. In the winter months, it is common to see one or two transport trucks in the ditch along the Trans-Canada Highway because drivers are not adjusting to road conditions. That reality alone makes it frightening to think about transports carrying nuclear waste travelling through our territory.

These routes run dangerously close to Lake Superior—our drinking water source—which connects to all the waterways along the North Shore. For our communities, there is only one road in and one road out. If there were an accident, the consequences would be devastating: contamination of our water, disruption to our food supply, and long-term harm to our way of life.

This highway is not just a transportation corridor—it is our lifeline. It is how we access food, health care, family, and emergency services. Introducing nuclear waste shipments into this already dangerous reality, especially during winter conditions, puts our communities at unacceptable risk.

We do not need careless or reckless nuclear waste transport moving through our territory. We need stronger protections, meaningful consultation, and decisions that respect the people who live here and depend on this land and water every day. We need to do better.

⸻

Key Safety Questions That Must Be Answered

    •    What specific precautions are being taken to prevent accidents in northern and winter driving conditions?

    •    What emergency response plans are in place if a spill or collision occurs in or near Lake Superior?

    •    What qualifications, training, and experience will drivers be required to have—particularly for winter and northern routes?

    •    Will transport be restricted to safer seasons, such as summer only, when road conditions are more predictable? With Emergency Service  escorts

    •    How are First Nations along the route being meaningfully consulted and protected?

    •    Who is accountable if our water, land, or access routes are contaminated or disrupted?