2024 Municipality of South Bruce - By-Election - Question on the Ballot - Referendum

2024 By-election

The Municipality of South Bruce will be holding a By-election, on October 28th, to submit a question on the ballot (also known as a referendum) relating to the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR). Council passed a resolution to maintain the use of the telephone and internet alternate voting methods for the 2024 by-election.

Background

Since 2012, the Municipality of South Bruce has been participating in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)'s process to site a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel in a willing host community. South Bruce is one (1) of two (2) remaining sites being considered for the site.

Results from South Bruce Willingness Study. Bar graphs demonstrates that Referendum is the overwhelming majority for preferred determination of community willingness

The Municipality must determine whether or not the community is willing to host the Project.

South Bruce Council, in collaboration with residents, established 36 Guiding Principles in the fall of 2020 to guide the Municipality’s consideration of the Project.

Guiding Principle #9 states The Municipality will, in collaboration with community members, develop and establish an open and transparent process that will allow the community to express its level of willingness to host the Project.

As a result, the Municipality retained GHD to conduct a Willingness Study (Figure 3.1) that concluded the public preferred a referendum to express willingness.

Visit The Plan for Used Nuclear Fuel for more information.

By-Election Question

The Municipal Elections Act outlines specific requirements, how the vote is conducted, and whether it is binding. In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 ("MEA"/"the Act"), a municipal council must pass a by-law to submit a question. The question must be a clearly worded yes or no question. The vote is binding with at least 50% voter turnout.

Council passed a by-law with the referendum question at it’s meeting April 23, 2024. The referendum question is:

Are you in favour of the Municipality of South Bruce declaring South Bruce to be a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR)?

Appeals: The Question may be appealed to the Chief Electoral Officer on the grounds that the question is not clear, concise or neutral, or if it is not a simple “yes” or “no” question. Appeals must be submitted within 20 days of the Notice of the Passing of the By-law. Appeals to the Clerk of the Municipality. The Notice was issued following the passing of the By-law on April 23, 2024.

Voter Eligibility Information

The voter eligibility requirements for a By-election are the same as a regular Municipal Election and are set out below:

Anyone can vote in a municipal by-election who, on the day of the by-election:

resides in the municipality of South Bruce or is the owner or tenant of land there, or the spouse or same sex partner of such owner or tenant;
is a Canadian citizen;
is at least 18 years old; and
is not otherwise prohibited from voting.

Your name must be on the Voters’ List in order for you to cast a ballot and it is your responsibility to ensure your name appears on the list.

Visit Elections Ontario’s RegisterToVote site to update your information. You will need to provide proof of identity and eligibility to vote, which will be reviewed by Elections Ontario, in order to add, confirm, or update your information.

2022 Election Webpage