To the editor,
It is quite clear from the candidates meeting held last week in Formosa that all candidates for South Bruce council support holding a referendum to decide on hosting the proposed deep geological repository (DGR). For the most part, all of them – noting how this community has become divided on the issue – stated they would want this to occur as soon as possible. Most suggesting the summer or fall of next year.
However, it would appear that two mayoral candidates, incumbent Bob Buckle and current councillor Mark Goetz, don’t seem to think we would be quite ready for such a vote, citing the need to “learn more” of the project.
Await further reports coming in from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
And for those seemingly opposed to the DGR and have demanded a vote now, it was noted by Mr. Goetz that they apparently “haven’t been listening” – suggesting none of them took any interest in attending CLC (Community Liaison Committee) meetings to learn from experts provided by the NWMO.
In other words, we don’t seem to be informed enough about the issue to vote on it.
This, of course, they add is also due to the pandemic and lack of public engagement for the last two years in the NWMO learning process. Basically, echoing the same excuse given by the NWMO for postponing their decision on choosing South Bruce as host to their nuclear waste dump.
And so after 10-plus years of the NWMO’s learning process (or should I say indoctrination?), including countless reports and the crucial core drilling results, I have to ask just what more information Mr. Goetz wants us to wait for? And if the apparent apathy of the public towards further learning seminars from the NWMO is a puzzle to him, perhaps he never heard of information overload? Like maybe suffering 10 years of it now up to our yin-yang in repetitive geological surveys and economic feel good reports? Kind of like having a perpetual vacuum cleaner salesman at your door who can’t take no for an answer.
In conclusion, I have to ask who is really calling the shots and setting the agenda as to whether this community is informed and will ever have a vote on the DGR?
My answer is, as it has been from day one, the NWMO. Providing the script each year for our current council who sees this DGR as the economic growth salvation for South Bruce.
I sincerely hope people wise up to this before voting the same-old back in on council and we all have to endure years more of the NWMO “imagine the possibilities” sales pitch.
David Wood
Mildmay
