South Bruce council is set to formally receive the result of its nuclear waste referendum at a meeting later today.
The municipality’s residents narrowly voted in favour last month of being a willing host for a potential deep geological repository (DGR) to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel.
More than 69 per cent of eligible voters in South Bruce cast a ballot in the referendum, making the results binding under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act.
South Bruce is one of two communities in Ontario — along with Ignace — under consideration by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) for a DGR.
Council is set to formally pass a motion Tuesday evening declaring South Bruce a willing host for the DGR project.
“The municipality’s willingness decision also initiates a $4-million milestone payment as outlined in the Hosting Agreement based upon the community decision being made,” South Bruce CAO Leanne Martin says in a report. “In addition, NWMO will continue funding the municipality’s costs associated with its participation in the site selection process until a final site selection has been made.”
Saugeen Ojibway Nation still needs to make its own decision on the NWMO proposal.