Atikokan Council met early for a special session on Monday, welcoming a delegation from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
Erik Kremer, a senior advisor with NWMO, spoke to Council about the program, and afterwards answered several questions posed by councillors.
“I think it comes down to trust,” said Kremer in response to Councillor Shine’s question regarding the difficulties of getting public approval. “It is not that Canada is the only country in the world that has controversy. But there are certainly other countries that have more confidence in their government, research facilities, industries, etc.”
Furthermore, distrust is especially magnified in the nuclear industry, since it is already particularly controversial.
Councillors asked a variety of questions about transportation, specifically about Atikokan’s place as an alternative trucking route for the waste.
“It is reasonable to think that trucks would come through this neighbourhood,” said representative Jamie Matear, projecting possible routes for when the first shipments start in 2043.
Kremer also presented videos of impact, puncture, thermal and immersion tests the organization has run, in an attempt to demonstrate that, in the event of an accident on the road, there would be no additional hazard posed by the used fuel.
Mayor Rob Ferguson concluded the meeting with a blunt message. “I was very disappointed that we weren’t included in the original assessment,” he said.
Atikokan became a specific focus in NWMO planning only after the Town had requested to be consulted.
“I find it insulting [we] weren’t included in the initial phase. Our citizens and council were taken for granted, and we were not consulted properly,” adding that the importance of Highway 11 as an alternative route warranted a place for Atikokan within their planning.
“Perhaps we made a mistake, and we are sorry for that,” Matear responded.
Councillor Stimson, however, presented a different perspective. “I don’t think we were slighted,” he said. “I hope the mayor’s statement doesn’t speak for the whole council. It doesn’t reflect everyone’s perspective.”
Chantelle Gascon, NWMO’s municipal relations manager, concluded the delegation by offering tours and educational sessions to councillors. The NWMO maintains an office located at 304 Main St. in Ignace, open to the public during regular business hours.
