The South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Forum: Safety and Opportunities took place on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the Mildmay Carrick Recreation Complex. The event featured panel presentations and an exhibition area where the public could talk to subject matter experts about topics related to the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) Project, with a focus on deep geological repository safety and potential opportunities.
The Forum built on the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to share information about the Project via CLC meetings, household mailings, website content and more. South Bruce residents were encouraged to attend to become better informed as they prepare to vote on their willingness to host the project, which will come later this year.
Presentation slides from the panels can be found hyperlinked in the agenda below.
Click to view the Forum Agenda and Presentation Slides |
3:00pm – Doors Open to Exhibitor Area
Location: Arena Floor
4:00pm – Kids Programming BeginsLocation: Upstairs Lounge
5:10pm – Program BeginsLocation: Hall (all remaining agenda items take place in the Hall of the Mildmay Carrick Recreation Complex) Master of Ceremonies Justin McKague – Community Liaison Committee member Moderator Jim Gowland – Community Liaison Committee Chair
5:15pm – Welcome RemarksMark Goetz – Mayor, Municipality of South Bruce Luke Charbonneau – Deputy Warden, County of Bruce Lisa Thompson – Member of Provincial Parliament, Huron—Bruce Ben Lobb – Member of Parliament, Huron—Bruce Laurie Swami – President and CEO, Nuclear Waste Management Organization
5:50pm – Panel: Safety put SimplyPanelists: Mackenzie Tigwell – Nuclear Analyst, Calian Group (Presentation) Mark Gobien – Manager, Safety Assessment Integration, Nuclear Waste Management Organization (Presentation) Jessica Perritt – Manager, Indigenous Knowledge & Reconciliation, Nuclear Waste Management Organization Gregory D Ferraro, P Eng – Lead Consultant and Peer Reviewer, GHD Limited (Presentation)
7:20pm – Panel: Let’s Talk Hosting Agreement and Guiding PrinciplesPanelists: Mark Goetz – Mayor, Municipality of South Bruce Lise Morton – Vice President of Site Selection, Nuclear Waste Management Organization Dave Rushton – Project Manager, Municipality of South Bruce Jeff Marshall – Partnership Manager, Nuclear Waste Management Organization
8:30pm – Closing Remarks
9:00pm – Event Ends |
Questions and answers to the questions from the Safety put Simply panel follow below, and additional responses will be posted upon receipt.
Can you please list the negative effects identified during your peer review of safety and then tell us how these risks should be mitigated? |
GHD: The peer review of safety has identified the potential for negative project related effects to occur which included:
In all cases it was identified further assessment of the potential and appropriative mitigative measures is required as the site specific design is developed and advanced. Environmental - The mitigative measures currently identified for the current conceptual design model (generic site) are considered reasonable and implementable. To determine the potential for environmental impacts at the South Bruce site, the change effects and assessment study will need further work to develop mitigative measures that are directly applicable to the site specific design as it is developed. Radiological - For the radiation exposure, the current modelling of radiation levels have shown no increase to municipal and environmental receptors and are well below the standards on the surface and immediately adjacent to the DGR facility. The modeling will need to be updated as the site specific design is advanced. The current conceptual design plan has proposed mitigation measures that are best practice in the industry. This includes designing the facility with appropriate barriers, controlled air flow patterns, filtration of the exhaust air, fuel handling systems, dry decontamination and cleanup methods, process water treatment and monitoring, and ongoing monitoring systems with shutdown capability. Transportation – The nature and volume of project related traffic and corresponding impacts have been identified, studied and modelled. The need for road improvements, dedicated haul routes and traffic control plans are being identified and developed. Emergency Response - The emergency response study showed the need to build additional capability and capacity at the municipal level in response to potential radiological exposure and construction injury concerns. As the site-specific design and plan is not yet in place, further work is required to determine what emergency response capabilities will be provided by the facility and what will need to be implemented in the Municipality. Critical that equipment, human resources and training be updated for municipalities to handle Project-based emergencies for events potentially involving radioactivity. Mitigation of emergency risks will include site-specific facility and transportation emergency plans and procedures meeting stringent regulatory requirements; implementation of on-site services such as an emergency response team and/or mine rescue team, emergency response training of facility staff, federal and municipal emergency response planning, and provision of training and/or resources to municipal emergency response service organizations (for example, a memorandum of understanding with local hospitals and fire departments).
To Summarize: The Peer Review Team is supportive of NWMO’s conclusion that DGR could be safely constructed with natural barriers in place based on information presented in Confidence in Safety Report. Current conceptual design indicates radiological risk to community is low to negligible. Radon doses must be determined, and monitoring will be required where workers may be exposed to radon. Facility boundary monitors should be in place to respond to community concerns. Individual results from each study should be considered in integration with each other to develop holistic view of potential impacts. The Peer Review Team is aligned with the NWMO’s built confidence in safety to move towards the next phase of design, study and impact assessment. |
Questions and answers from the Let's Talk Hosting Agreement and Guiding Principles panel follow below.
If South Bruce expresses willingness to host this project, is there a timeframe that the indigenous community needs to determine their willingness? Is the timeframe months, years or multiple years before the indigenous community would make their decision? |
NWMO: Our discussions with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) are ongoing, considering their priorities and outlining the commitments that the NWMO will make to SON if the project is located in the SON-South Bruce area. We are working with SON to understand their decision timelines. NWMO does not intend to wait years to make a decision regarding site selection. |
In the event of a disaster, what would the compensation package look like? |
NWMO: In the unlikely event of a disaster, The Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act would dictate what the compensation package would be. The legislation will determine the liability limits following licencing of the facility. |
What are examples of potential recreational opportunities on the DGR lands? What community amenities will be at the Centre of Expertise? |
NWMO: The recreational opportunities at the DGR will depend on what the regulators allow the NWMO to do with the surface area. Other factors include agricultural and environmental considerations. After the regulatory phase the NWMO will work with the Municipality to determine what, if any, recreational facilities can be go on the DGR lands keeping in mind that a trail system and a canoe/kayak launch were both mentioned as possibilities in Memorandum of Understanding.
South Bruce: One example of a recreational opportunity that addresses Guiding Principle #6 is the opportunity for kayak and canoe launches on the Teeswater River at the points where it crosses Sideroad 25 North. The Centre of Expertise will host a Visitor Centre. It will feature local history, culture and tourism displays; a multi-purpose community space; scientific information on the DGR; and agricultural science. It will also include space for education and skills training. |
Since this is a Federal project, how can the Municipality and the NWMO guarantee that only Canadian used nuclear fuel will be allowed in the DGR? Since we do have trade agreements with, for example, US and Mexico. |
NWMO: The Nuclear Fuel Waste Act establishes a mandate for the NWMO to manage Canada’s used nuclear fuel. Adaptive Phased Management was developed collaboratively with Canadians to meet this mandate. The plan was recommended by the NWMO and approved by the Government of Canada on this basis. In addition, the Hosting Agreement between NWMO and South Bruce clearly states in Section 2.4.2 “NWMO shall not emplace in the DGR or otherwise store or process at the Facility: … (b) any nuclear waste originating from outside of Canada.” |
Infrastructure means more than roads. Does the Hosting Agreement make provisions for daycare? Active transportation for employees who live nearby? What about a 24 hour daycare facility? How can we be a part of these decisions? |
NWMO: The Hosting Agreement mentions road infrastructure specifically because there will be road upgrades needed to support the project itself. The NWMO will pay for municipal infrastructure upgrades that are directly related to the project. The Hosting Agreement allows for funding to the Municipality for their infrastructure projects. What those projects will be is up to the Municipality of South Bruce's elected council. The Municipality is in the best position to determine the needs and priorities of the community, and the NWMO is providing funding to help support those projects.
South Bruce: The Hosting Agreement has various streams of funding, one of which is Community Services. If the community indicates to Council that programs like daycare are important - which was actually supported and expressed in studies - then Council can choose to support it. |
The landowners in the immediate area can utilize the PVP (Property Value Protection), can they also utilize the Business Protection Program as farming as their business? |
NWMO: Landowners who are also farmers may access both the Property Value Protection Program and the Business Loss Protection Program, providing they meet the criteria for those programs. More information can be found in the South Bruce Hosting Agreement available on the Municipality of South Bruce website. |
If the referendum result is “not willing”, will South Bruce receive a $4 million exit payment? |
Yes, that is correct. |
Will a safety case be conducted once there is site specific information? |
NWMO: NWMO has already published a Confidence in Safety report for each of the two potential sites under consideration to host a deep geological repository. These reports are based on years of research and fieldwork. After a site is selected, the regulatory decision-making process will begin. This rigorous process includes an impact assessment, the requirements of which are set out in the Impact Assessment Act. It involves a detailed analysis of the project’s contributions to sustainability and environmental, socio-economic and health impacts, as well as impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples. |
Why does a clause appear in the agreement that states the NWMO has the ability to delay their announcement of the site selection for four years? |
NWMO: During discussion with the Municipality, it was determined that the Municipality's willingness commitment would have a time limit. The four-year term was agreed upon by both parties. However, NWMO does not intend to delay its site selection decision for four years.
South Bruce: As per legislation, a binding referendum result is in effect for 4 years, this period was chosen to put a limit on how long South Bruce would wait for a decision. |
There are a number of subject matter experts, consultants, agencies and organizations who were present in the Exhibitor Area to share information and answer questions. Exhibitors included:
The Municipality of South Bruce hosted a forum on April 4 and 5, 2023. Through expert presentations, panel discussions and an exhibition, the Forum covered topics like safety, the environment, international experiences, workforce development, socio-economic impacts and more. Check out the South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Forum 2023 webpage linked below for more details on the 2023 event including full program agenda, community question and answers, and more.
South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Forum 2023
If you have questions or are seeking more information, please reach out to the South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Team.
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