Panel Report

The Panel thanks all the individuals and organizations who participated in this lengthy process. Their willingness to review the daunting amount of material the proponent and others submitted, their work in preparing and presenting briefs, and their attendance at our many hearings were all of great help to the Panel. This work also demonstrated the importance they attach to finding a safe and acceptable answer to the long-term management of nuclear fuel wastes. We particularly thank the three First Nations that received us on their reserves.

We also appreciate the co-operation throughout the review of the many people who appeared on behalf of AECL and Ontario Hydro under what must often have been stressful circumstances.

We are greatly beholden to the Chairman and the members of the Scientific Review Group as well as to their secretary, John McEwen. Their two reports to the Panel, and their active participation in the technical hearings, helped us better understand the scientific complexities of the nuclear fuel waste question.

Members of the Panel who have signed this report would like to acknowledge the contributions of earlier members: William Fyfe, Maddy Howe-Harper, Lionel Reese and Raymond Robinson.

Finally, the Panel especially thanks the many members of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency who helped us throughout the review, including those who were assigned to the Panel at earlier stages of its work. We acknowledge in particular the professionalism and patience of the members of its secretariat who were with us during the lengthy period of public hearings and report writing. They are:

• Guy Riverin, Panel Manager;
• Cindy De Cuypere, Specialist Advisor;
• Robyn-Lynne Virtue, Technical Analyst; and
• Ghislaine Kerry, Information Officer.