South Bruce Council formally received the results of the South Bruce referendum, on willingness to host a deep geological repository.
At a special meeting Tuesday November 12th, council for the municipality which includes Teeswater, Culross Mildmay and Carrick, acknowledged fifty-one per cent of votes were cast in favour of the Municipality of South Bruce declaring itself a willing host for a DGR to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel.
69 per cent of voters participated, surpassing the 50 per cent threshold required under provincial law for a binding referendum result.
Mayor Mark Goetz says in a statement, “Thanks to strong community participation in the Referendum we have a legally binding conclusion to South Bruce’s willingness process,” adding, “The Municipality will continue to share information with the community and prepare for next steps in the NWMO’s site selection process.”
The municipality says in a release, next steps include delivering formal notice to the NWMO of South Bruce’s willingness to host the Project.
It adds, according to the hosting agreement between South Bruce Council and NWMO, the Municipality will receive a $4 million milestone payment for delivering a determination of community’s willingness.
There is still no guarantee that the Project will be sited in South Bruce. South Bruce is one of two locations being considered by the NWMO. The other is Ignace in Northern Ontario.
Saugeen Ojibway Nation has not yet announced its decision on whether or not it is willing to host a DGR in its traditional territory. The NWMO says will only move forward if it has the support of the First Nation on whose territory they’d be building a DGR.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of South Bruce says it, “Respects the willingness processes of other communities participating in the site selection process and looks forward to the NWMO’s selection of a preferred site.”
The municipality adds, Community Liaison Committee meetings, tours of Ontario Power Generation’s Nuclear Sustainability Services’ Western Facility, and other educational opportunities will continue to take place for community members interested in furthering Project knowledge. Follow Municipal social media channels or visit the Municipal website to stay up to date on upcoming opportunities.