Dear Editor:
The new year has begun – out with the old and in with the new. This could be true, but does it apply in the Municipality of South Bruce?
Five years ago, the South Bruce community became very divided. Remember that big announcement on Jan. 24, 2020 that landowner Darren Ireland and Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) former representative Becky Smith made about the NWMO obtaining 1,500 acres of land for a deep geological repository (DGR) that could possibly come to the area. For 12 years, but specifically five years, South Bruce was inundated with information about DGRs, received lots of funding, etc. and then on Nov. 28, 2024 it all ended. Out with the old! The community is to unify – in with the new!
At this time, the “new” will not happen. Many are still very leery of what is going on with regards to the NWMO in South Bruce. The NWMO “Learn more” office is still open, there is no sign of the bore holes and signs being removed and the NWMO owns 1,000-plus acres of farmland.
Just what does the December NWMO comment,“We hope to maintain strong, respectful relationships with both South Bruce and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation moving forward” mean? Does the NWMO have another nuclear waste project planned for South Bruce?
Many will not forget what happened over the last five years. Many “wounds” are deep. People had sleepless nights, stress issues, future plans were put on hold and some remain on hold.
Many question what future agreements have been made “behind closed doors” with the municipal council? It seems that the Nuclear Waste Exploration Team “municipal employees” paid by the NWMO, still have municipal jobs. Who is providing their pay cheques – the NWMO or municipal taxes?
As long as there are “signs” that the NWMO is still around, yellow signs will still be present. Many in South Bruce and now beyond the borders are keeping a watch as to what the NWMO and the municipal council are doing.
There will not be a “new” in 2025 in South Bruce until there are no signs of the NWMO being present.
Happy New Year.
S.A. McDonald,
Culross/Teeswater
