THUNDER BAY – We the Nuclear Free North has released some new statistics in the bid to raise awareness of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization Deep Geological Repository project.
The petition to stop the transport and burial of nuclear waste in the north has gained 13,505 signatures on change.org since it was launched in 2019.
According to We the Nuclear Free North, over 4,500 signatures are from NWO, with 3,012 signatures from the communities surrounding the Revell Lake site, including:
- Thunder Bay 1,318
- Dryden 1,389
- Kenora 89
- Village of Wabigoon 34
- Ignace 32
- Dinorwic 32
- Eagle River 28
- Eagle Lake First Nation 26
- Vermilion Bay 24
- Wabigoon Lake First Nation 15
- Oxdrift 15
- Dyment 10
“We launched the petition to raise awareness and to record opposition to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed plan to bury and abandon highly radioactive nuclear fuel waste in Northwestern Ontario,” explained Dodie LeGassick, nuclear lead with Environment North.
The majority of concern relates to the transportation of nuclear waste from Southern Ontario to the North, if the Revell Lake site is chosen. WTNFN launched a new petition to the Ontario legislature, asking the government to adopt a proximity principle which would ensure storage of nuclear waste would stay where it is produced.
“Strong opposition is particularly shown among people close to the proposed burial site,” said Wendy O’Connor of WTNFN. “The NWMO has pledged not to proceed with the project unless there is a robust demonstration of community willingness. There is, conversely, a strong demonstration of community opposition.”
The petition will be presented to the Ontario Legislature in November.