DGR proposal - citizen comment

I am originally from the town of Wabigoon and I certainly understand the desire of residents of Ignace and Wabigoon First Nation to pursue the economic windfall that will result from their participation in the proposed DGR.  Both communities would benefit greatly from this project in terms of economic development and both probably need this boost.  However, there are negative impacts resulting from this project and these would not be contained to these two communities.   I have concerns that there has not been adequate attention paid to the transportation of the radioactive materials that will travel our highways 3 times a day for 50 years.  Anyone who reads the local and regional news would be astonished that this is being considered in light of the number of collisions, road closures, etc. that occur on the northern highways.   We have predominantly two-lane highways that are steep and winding.  There have been assurances that the transport will not occur during winter. This does not help the road closures due to washouts, nor the heavy traffic that takes place in the summer months.  Even with accompanying vehicles to “protect” the trucks, there is the vast stupidity of impatient drivers to contend with as well as the number of transport truck accidents that occur on our highways, again from drivers taking chances.  From what I have read, the DGR in Finland has been located in an area where the nuclear reactors exist.  While I am not a fan of nuclear energy as a panacea, I recognize that it is not going away.  Would it not be a safer alternative to store the radioactive materials closer to the nuclear sites to reduce the chance of accidental spills? 

I have concerns that there was not adequate attention paid to neighbouring first nations such as Eagle Lake First Nation, not to mention the Fort William First Nation in the Thunder Bay area.  Their support has not been sought or received.  Surely, the traditional lands of regional first nations should be considered in a project that could have such devastating results if there were leaks or spills. 

Finally, I do wonder at the continuation of developing an energy source that creates such contaminants.  The amount of division and controversy that has been created from the need to contain the waste of nuclear energy reactors should make any reasonable person agree that it is not the best source of energy.   Climate change will only augment the problem with a greater need for more air conditioning, etc.  Proposing new energy sources that are more sustainable would seem like a good solution.  We should not be developing new nuclear sites but explore other alternatives for energy.