South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Forum

GHD: The Economic Development Study on Youth provides a series of 13 recommendations that if acted upon will advance efforts to engage with and provide opportunities for youth in South Bruce. The overarching recommendation is that the Municipality direct resources to increase its capacity to dialogue and collaborate with youth serving organizations, and educators. This will enable targeted responses to youth priorities, such as improving job opportunities and promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and quality of life outside of work.

Can you expand on what is included in an attractive community?

In the section People, Community and Culture, it speaks to impacts on baseline growth. Specifically, how are you addressing the current lack of affordable accessible child-care? To attract new residents to live and work in South Bruce, child-care is critical, what are the next steps to make this happen? 

GHD: The matter of a lack of child-care in South Bruce has been identified in a number of the Community Studies. Each of the studies that have identified the requirements of Guiding Principle 32. Options for addressing the Guiding Principle 32 have been identified. The Vulnerable Populations and Social Program Study assesses base line conditions for existing social programs a including the lack of subsidized child-care. The Study identifies an option for creating a child-care centre in the Centre of Expertise in partnership with the Municipality of South Bruce or others.

A Child Care Centre in the Centre of Expertise that would provide much needed additional child-care spaces in the Study Area. To support low-income families participating in employment, education and/or skills training opportunities, a percentage of spaces could be set aside for them. The availability of guaranteed child-care may provide an incentive for NWMO workers and their families to relocate to the Study Area. Additionally, the NWMO, working with MSB, could look for available local spaces that are appropriate for converting into child-care space (i.e., leverage existing space (e.g., churches).

This Option aligns with MSB Guiding Principle #32:

• #32: “The NWMO, in consultation with the Municipality and other local and regional partners, will prepare a strategy to ensure there are sufficient community services and amenities, including health, child-care, educational and recreational facilities, to accommodate the expected population growth associated with hosting the Project in South Bruce."

For example, to fulfill this Principle with respect to vulnerable populations and social programs, NWMO would work with Children’s Services organizations/departments to identify low-income individuals who would benefit from child-care services.

Where is the rock management area? What are the future uses of the rock?

GHD: The location of the Excavated Rock Management Area (ERMA) has not yet been fully determined by the NWMO but is expected to be either on the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) Site or within 1 to 2 kilometres from the DGR Site perimeter. South Bruce has recently learned that based on testing of the bedrock by NWMO and their geologic experts the excavated rock will be suitable for use in the production of the various grades of aggregate required for the Project.

Of all of the items/topics covered here, what, if any, project component poses the largest threat to slowing the project or creating the largest bottleneck? For example, housing, labour availability, infrastructure, etc., what if any has been identified as the largest hurdle?

Bruce Power with its MCR project, all major services companies must have an office and have company infrastructures in the Kincardine/Saugeen Shores area. Is it possible to have the same requirement to be in the agreements with service companies for South Bruce and the surrounding region for the DGR?

Has the GHD Study looked at the impact of businesses and industry that would not want to locate here if a DGR was constructed?

GHD: We are not aware of any businesses or industries that would not want to locate to the Core Study Area because of the DGR. Notwithstanding this, the potential for customers developing a stigma about food produced near the DGR, which may result in lost clients for some agricultural businesses, was considered as part of the Agriculture Business Impact Study based on some stakeholder feedback. In response, the Study provided a series of recommendations aimed at proactively addressing this issue.

Before a formal commitment is made by South Bruce, will they have access to the full environmental assessment done by the government?

With regards to accessibility, are recordings of CLC presentations available?

What are the steps taken to share and address accessibility issues to share, demonstrate, access all information in all areas (mobility, visual, audio, etc.) as well as computer illiterate individuals, those without access to computers and those with language barriers?

Municipality of South Bruce: As a Municipality, we adhere to the requirements and guidelines outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

The Municipality has heard from residents and ratepayers that prefer to receive information by mail and/or do not access computers or are not fully comfortable using them. For example, communications regarding the Project are regularly sent by mail in addition to being found. This includes CLC meeting notices, householders, and other information. Documents found online can be provided as a hard copy when requested and studies are placed in three community libraries.

Additional information can be found on our Accessibility page: https://www.southbruce.ca/en/municipal-government/accessibility.aspx

The information acquired through these the Community Studies informs the NWMO, the MSB leadership and residents about the baseline conditions of the community, the characteristics of the Project, the potential Project changes and/or effects the Project may have on the community and available options to enhance or mitigate the changes and/or effects.

The scope and objective of each study was laid out and reviewed prior to commencing. The studies were intentionally designed as a higher-level study to assist the community in determining if they are willing to consider hosting the Project and under what circumstances and terms.

A key finding of a number of the Studies was that further work should be carried out to advance the assessment and to develop additional information that will assist in addressing the requirements of the Guiding Principles.

In conducting a similar exercise again, a phased approach to conducting the Community Studies including interim refinement of the scope and objectives as information is learned would be beneficial in optimizing the use of the Study results.

Once up and running, how many full-time employees on site at one time? How often is truck traffic for delivery?

GHD: The conceptual labor workforce projected for the Project is presented in Table 1 below which is included in the Traffic Study. The workforce has been identified as being as either on-site (at the DGR) or off-site (at the Centre of Expertise (CoE)), and further sub-categorized as permanent NWMO staff, surface/trades labor, and labor associated with underground excavation activities. The DGR on-site workforce will work shifts reducing traffic loads during daytime hours. Traffic modeling provided in the Traffic Study concludes 3.34 trips per day will be made by each worker.

With today’s changing consumer expectations we need to protect agriculture. Many farms sell products through elevators and sale barns. The price received for products can fluctuate greatly day to day depending on how many buyers attend a sale of if a trailer of lambs arrived from Western Canada/ One way to manage this risk is to foster direct to consumer sales but consumers want to know where there food is grown. We have had Toronto butchers tell us they would no longer come to our farm to purchase lambs. Our sheep milk processer has told us they don’t know if they would continue to purchase our milk. Ashley Chapman has shared his concerns in a CBC article and in the recent agriculture study. The stigma and safety concerns o consumers could greatly affect agriculture in our community. There is limited productive land for agriculture. Why would we risk our ability to produce food for Canadians?

Clark: The Agriculture Business Impact Study made several recommendations that respond to these concerns, among them:

• Commodity Safety Monitoring: The Municipality of South Bruce should advocate for the NWMO to provide safety monitoring of the Project to provide ongoing evidence of the level of risks or health concerns (or lack thereof) associated with food, crops or livestock commodities produced surrounding the project, such as the ongoing monitoring operations undertaken by Bruce Power, and to retain an independent auditing organization to review the commodity safety monitoring reports. 
• Property Value Monitoring: The Municipality of South Bruce should advocate for the NWMO to retain an independent auditing organization to monitor changes in real estate property values (fair market and actual transaction) for the purposes of assisting eligible property owners in the Core Study Area to participate in the NWMO Property Value Protection Program, as well as to mitigate the effects that declines in property values may affect property-owners’ ability to borrow from a lender.
• Commodity Value Monitoring: The Municipality of South Bruce should advocate for the NWMO to work with Agricorp and other appropriate agencies to monitor and report on changes in agricultural commodity values (or lack thereof) in the Core Study Area, and to retain an independent auditing organization to review the commodity value monitoring reports
• Compensation Tools: The Municipality of South Bruce should advocate for the NWMO to explore compensation tools for farmers and businesses in the agriculture and agribusiness sector, to mitigate Project-related labour force disruptions, traffic disruptions, commodity value reductions, borrowing-capacity restrictions, and other impacts.

Pat: There are many opportunities within agriculture commodities for price discovery. Marketing boards, COP formula’s, farm gate, direct marketing, sales barn’s, bonded grain elevator’s…just to name a few. There is also an opportunity here to engage with the public about how food is produced safely here in Ontario. Land use policy deserves a much more sophisticated discussion than a Q & A response.

Allan: Over the past forty years a large part of my business has been direct to processor sales, most of those sales involved on site meetings with buyers from a number of Canadian provinces as well as the US. Some clients have been returning to my farm for decades. My proximity to the BNDP site was discussed with the majority of my clients, however at no time has anyone expressed any product food safety or health concerns regarding my location. I would suggest that because I have not made my location a concern, my customers also have no concern with my proximity to the BNDP.

What should residents of South Bruce do to influence public opinion and reduce the possible stigma associated with the DGR

Clark: According to the Municipality of South Bruce Economic Development Project Effects Study and Strategy, a 2004 report by students from the Richard Ivey School of Business was commissioned to consult in a study for the Municipality of Kincardine regarding negotiations on a radioactive waste disposal facility. While the study has been mischaracterized by opponents of the NWMO Project as a report about stigma, the students actually focussed their attention on discussing negotiation tactics. The students’ study also warns about over-playing concerns about stigma, given that “the largest stigma will be upfront with the first unit of waste, after which the marginal stigma decreases significantly. Once the wastes are disposed of in [the municipality], incentive systems need to exist to ensure compliance with the goals of each stakeholder.” The study also notes “the importance for legal and political lobbying strategy is high in the context of this deal.”

Pat: The possibility for enhancing public perception about how food is grown also exists.

Allan: Provided a democratic process has been followed to host the DGR, and it is recognized all potential health and safety issues have been addressed and mitigated, than any stigma associated with the DGR both positive and negative would likely be created by members of the host community. 

In your opinion, how are the issues faced by the agriculture industry similar or the same as those faced by the nuclear industry

Pat: Both industries share a common goal of public trust and must balance the need to produce goods with the need to protect the environment and public safety

Allan: Both the food industry and the nuclear industry operate in officially regulated spaces. The AAFC through the CFIA regulate food safety and industry compliance, and the CNSC regulates nuclear safety. Both regulators have common interests in the direct and indirect safety of Canada’s population.

The price I paid for my farm products is not decided by my location, so in order to get the higher price needed to afford staying in the area is direct sales. Yet consumers today are much more concerned than even 20 years ago. Why would agriculture risk that?

Clark: As discussed in a previous answer, the Agriculture Business Impact Study made several recommendations that respond to these concerns, among them Commodity Safety Monitoring, Property Value Monitoring, Commodity Value Monitoring, and Compensation Tools. Direct sales involving the agricultural sector and local food and drink become more integrated into the hospitality sector are included as positive potential impacts in the Tourism Industry Effects Study and Strategy if the Project were to move forward.

Pat: Direct sales are one of many ways to realize price opportunities for farm products. Consumers deserve to be engaged with farmers about the products they buy.  Ontario has a robust regulatory environment that ensures that the food we eat is safe. This is an opportunity to engage with consumers. Both industries meet strong regulation and safety imperatives. The agriculture sector is subject to regulations related to food safety and environmental protection, while the nuclear industry is subject to strict safety regulations and oversight from government agencies.  

Clark: Based on the feedback received during the development of the Agriculture Business Impact Study, it would be very difficult to find a South Bruce farmer to speak on the panel who could adequately reflect the spectrum of types of real concerns that were expressed during the engagement phase of the study. There were farmers who were resolutely against the Project and wanted to belittle and shame others who expressed an opposing opinion. There were open-minded farmers who were willing to express their positive opinions, but feared retribution by the nay-sayers. There were other farmers who expressed no opinion either way, and acknowledged the opportunity to provide feedback, but chose not to. It would be difficult to identify and invite one farmer to voice all angles of the debate. 

Allan: I am a lifelong farmer within the shadow of the BNPD, I was asked to convey my professional experiences regarding producing and marketing agricultural products produced on my farm in the context of my location relative to the BNDP.  I am not qualified nor have I suggested that I am qualified to assess risk related to the location of a DGR.  Whether or not an individual shows critical thinking may be considered by some to be subjective relative to their personal views.

What is the boundary encompassing the ‘compelling willing community for the DGR’? Does it include the entire great lakes basin?

Pat: This is a process of unity and collaboration with the local community of South Bruce and the rest of Canada, North America and the world. Overlapping jurisdictions have a shared responsibility to safety in all aspects of society.  We all endeavor to maintain that trust with one another. Ultimately, the host community, South Bruce, will decide.

Allan: Great thought provoking question. In my opinion a “compelling willing community for the DGR” should be located within the geographic area that economically benefited from the creation of the nuclear waste that is currently of concern. Those communities within great lakes basin that benefited from low cost nuclear generated electricity must recognize their obligation to be accountable for nuclear waste.  We must also prevent the proposed DGR becoming a “nuclear waste dump” for nuclear waste created outside of Ontario.

Clark Hoskin: Of the negative comments you received were there or is there examples of the nuclear industry having a negative impact on agriculture?

Clark: Benefits of the Centre of Expertise to the agricultural community are discussed in great detail in the Agriculture Business Impact Study, Economic Development Project Effects Study & Strategy, and the Tourism Industry Effects Study and Strategy. The Centre of Expertise holds the potential to house programs related to agritech innovation, agricultural awareness, agritourism, culinary and local food, linked with programs at the Agritech Demonstration Farm for Research (proposed on the balance of NWMO lands adjacent to the DGR) and Innovation, regional post-secondary education institutions, and other organizations in the community. Ideas gathered through the community engagement process are summarized in the Agriculture Business Impact Study. The various uses, grouped into five areas, could be housed in one building or in several buildings on a campus of land. Agriculture functions could include:

• Facilities, accelerators, incubators, or coworking spaces for agritech start-ups
• Artificial intelligence research and demonstrations
• Crop research
• Commercial kitchens
• Agricultural events
• Education for next-generation farmers
• Housing for employees or students

Pat: In consultation with the local agriculture community, a centre of expertise could provide a range of valuable services and support for farmers with the ambition to improve their operations and navigate challenges faced by the local agriculture community.

Agriculture around Bruce Power has been very active and prosperous with everything from grain, beef and dairy farms. Beef pasture farms are actually very close neighbours to the plant. Have we discovered any negative impacts to those farms with acceptance of product or land values?

Clark: The Agriculture Business Impact Study reviewed international trends. In other countries, farming continues near existing and proposed used nuclear fuel facilities. The Study outlines, nation by nation, several projects under development and any related agriculture discourse, such as local agriculture production, research and education. 

Pat: Negative impacts can be subjective.  Different farmers have different goals and ways of operating their farms including how they market their products.

Allan: None that I am aware of, that can be attributed to Bruce Power

Clark Hoskin: Why were farmers living closest to the proposed site never interviewed or spoken to? To hear about their concerns and opinions – those lives are impacted the most!

Many people come to our area to enjoy unique small town life we have here. Do you have concerns that the accelerated economic growth that comes with this project will change that?

Clark: The Agriculture Business Impact Study and the other studies looked into the impacts the Project might have on the quality of life in South Bruce. In a nutshell, the Project would bring more opportunities to sustain the existing quality of life in the area, as opposed to the alternative. No new economic development or a continuation of the status quo may result in a slow erosion of the social and economic assets of South Bruce. 

Pat: There is a strong regulatory environment in place to ensure that farmers can operate their farms as normal.

Allan: Change is the only constant. Change will occur with or without the DGR project

Biggest concern of trucking the nuclear waste?

Pat: A concern that is shared by many that I have spoken with. Often the question of trucking safety is rooted in a desire to learn more about the process. I would defer this question to the nuclear industry.

Allan: Obviously limiting the distance nuclear waste can be transported will mitigate risk. Very clear parameters must be in place regarding distances and origins of waste being considered for entry to the proposed site prior to final public approval. 

Has your farm ever offered farm gate sales and how has the nuclear industry affected this? How has the nuclear industry affected your ability to secure reliable farm labour?

Pat: Farm gate sales are enhanced with a strong local economy. Regarding farm labour, the nuclear industry can have a positive impact.  The nuclear industry creates job opportunities in the surrounding areas which attracts more people to the region, increasing the availability of labour.

Allan: Although we do not hire additional labour, I am certainly aware that acquiring farm labour is a challenge across Canada. We must also be aware that there are individuals who choose not too, or will not work within the nuclear industry, but may have a passion for work within agriculture.

Allan Ribbink: You started farming in the Bruce Nuclear area a number of years ago. If you had to do it again, how would you start up today?

How do you reconcile your promise of environmental safety of the DGR – with other nuclear sites? – e.g Hanford, South Carolina, Green Valley, Port Hope, Chalk River, Serpent River, etc – toxic waste zones – Nuclear has a poor track record of environmental unfriendliness i.e reprocessing used fuel.

Allan: This is a question that needs to be answered by the NWMO. I believe technology will be developed in the future to harness additional energy within waste Candu type fuel. Regardless of where or how nuclear waste is stored, future access and use must be considered and encouraged during all processes.

A quick review of Google Maps shows that Posiva Oy, Finland is approximately 2100 Km North of Teeswater; at a latitude right at the very upper edge of the North American continent (Turtle Island). Is Posiva Oy considered ‘the far North’ of Finland?

Tiina: Posiva has defined as one of the design base for canister that the initial decay heat energy at the time of final disposal for one BWR spent nuclear fuel canister is 1700 W, one VVER spent nuclear fuel canister is 1370 W and one EPR spent nuclear fuel canister is 1870 W. There will be approximately 1400 BWR canisters, 750 VVER canisters and 850 EPR canisters in total. The decay heat decreases in time.

In theory the only option for direct final disposal of spent nuclear fuel is reprocessing. Whether reprocessing would be a feasible option, depends on the type of spent nuclear fuel, mainly proportion of U-235, and the amount of spent nuclear fuel. In Finland the total amount of spent nuclear fuel is so small that it would not be feasible to construct and operate a reprocessing facility. Transporting the spent fuel outside Finland is forbidden by law, which rules out using other countries' reprocessing facilities.

How big are your canisters? Why only one canister a week? How many do you have in store now? 

Tiina: There is one shaft for air inlet and one shaft for air outlet. In both of the ventilation shafts, there will be ground water flow monitoring, in the outlet shaft there will be monitors for radiation and air quality.

Tiina: Transportations of spent nuclear fuel is one of factors that has been considered in Finland for locating the deep geological repository, but there are several other factors that have been more decisive, like the properties and suitability of the studied site and its host rock.

Tiina: Thank you! The location of a DGR on an island was not seen as a disadvantage or threat, on the contrary it was considered as an advantage since most of the spent nuclear fuel that Posiva will dispose off is situated on the island, in the interim storage of the Olkiluoto NPP.

Tiina: The public trust has been increasing all the time in the course of consultation and in the course of our programme proceeding, except only for the year of 2011 with Fukushima incident.

How much radioactive emissions will come from the ventilation shafts and the encapsulation plant?

Tiina: There is not expected to come any emissions, since the spent nuclear fuel is handled in the fuel handling cell which is isolated and all the air that comes out from there is screened. 

How many people attended your presentation in North Western Ontario?

Based on your experience, who stands to lose from the DGR decision and why?

Should South Bruce residents be concerned that there is strong opposition to this DGR from a coalition of senators from the states surrounding the great lakes as well as the International Joint Committee?

We keep hearing the phrase “International Best Practice” yet history shows past attempts to bury nuclear waste has led to radioactive leaks and accidents. At the time these were built they were considered best practice. The only DGR currently operating is in New Mexico, in the middle of the desert away from towns and rivers. This is for low/intermediate level waste and they experienced a radioactive event caused by human error. If this is such a great, safe project, why has the state of New Mexico signed a law to prevent more nuclear waste facilities from being built in their state? How can we trust that this time the industry has the plan right?

Tom: I am not close to the WIPP operations. Below is an official description of the the WIPP incident and the government response. 

U.S. Department of Energy's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant - WIPP Recovery - Accident Description
https://wipp.energy.gov/wipprecovery-accident-desc.asp

What effect does Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s vote of ‘no’ DGR for low and intermediate nuclear waste have on NWMO’s proposed spent fuel DGR?

Tracy: This is part of OPGs Reconciliation Action Plan

Marsha: Bruce Power launched the Indigenous Community Investment Fund (ICIF) in 2016 to demonstrate a commitment to the local First Nations and Métis communities. The Fund contains a $400k budget and decisions on which initiatives receive funding is driven by the community. All proposals are presented to Chief, Councils and community leadership for their feedback, input and endorsement before they are approved by Bruce Power’s Sponsorship Committee

Does the world nuclear industry required to involve the indigenous community more than the Irish that were starved out of Ireland, the Jewish community forced out of Czechoslavkia, etc.?

Tracy: Canada is different in the way that it has a legal duty to consult with Indigenous communities as well as a moral one.  

Marsha: Canada is required by law to consult with Indigenous communities and territories where the project is proposed. In this case, the DGR project is proposed in the treaty and traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and therefore, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation must be consulted.

How do we as a community support our youth that are wanting to work in industries/trades but are not being supported at home?

During the past 10-years in Grey-Bruce Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), we registered more Apprentices every year with their Co-op employer. Then, during June, July, and August we (OYAP and Tech Teachers) would field calls from employers looking for young talent and we had to tell them, the graduates were already working for and/or signed up with their Co-op employer.

Co-op is one way to engage with youth but there are other ways such as volunteering at Launch Pad and/or volunteering in schools and/or events by being a judge during the Grey-Bruce Regional Skills Competition, Science Fair, and/or Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Days, hosting industry tours for classes and/or students in sector related Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs and/or answer the calls for mentors in high school mentorship programs to name just a few. This will provide sector leaders the opportunity to see firsthand the high skill levels students are achieving in our local schools.

Dave Barrett: Do you go into the schools in the area and speak to the students promoting the future opportunities in this area?

During my time working with Bluewater (BWDSB) and Bruce-Grey Catholic (BGCDSB) District School Boards in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) I did hundreds of presentations in every school in Grey-Bruce about the opportunities in the Skilled Trades. The new OYAP Recruiter for BWDSB & BGCDSB (Justin Graham) continues to go into schools to do similar presentations. 

Chad: The Nuclear Innovation Institute operates a STEM education program called NII Explore. NII Explore is dedicated to delivering enhanced educational opportunities for school-aged children to learn, experiment, discover and create. This educational programming offers a range of learning styles that connects students to the best teaching and knowledge available.  

With most of the present Secondary Schools not having the funds to facilitate technical classes and technical shop areas is there a plan to change this focus with our school boards?

Dave: First I must disagree with this statement as during my time in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) from 2012 to 2022 I witnessed that every secondary school in Grey-Bruce had and have Tech Shops taught by exceptional Teachers. During that time, education programs such as Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) grew exponentially at Bluewater and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Boards and came with funding to update equipment and provide valuable certifications for students. The school boards also partner with local businesses and industries that generously provide consumables, sponsorships, and updated equipment.

While everything can always be better, the local school boards are doing their best and provide high quality technical education for students in Grey-Bruce.

For all panelists – In your opinion, does the current system expect youth to choose a career path, with youth having been given limited exposure to opportunities that exist? I’m thinking about how grades 9 and 10 youth are already expected to choose the grade 11 and 12 programs that will set them up for the post-secondary program/career.

Dave: In my opinion, the current system does not expect youth to choose a career path without being exposed to opportunities that exist. Students in elementary schools have more opportunities to participate in Experiential Learning to begin exploring the Education Pathways (Work, Apprenticeship, College, University). When students move to secondary school, there are more opportunities for Experiential Learning to help determine what they like and dislike. All students are required to take a Careers course in Grade 10, which is a diploma requirement in Ontario. As students progress, there are even more opportunities to explore careers through Coop, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), etc. and if/when they determine their pathway, they have the ability to change streams and take the courses needed to best prepare them for their chosen pathway. Many students do not determine their pathways while in secondary school (I was almost 30) but all along their high school journey, students are taking the courses needed to make them well rounded life-long learners and succeed in whatever pathway and career(s) following high school.

Would anyone like to comment on how well prepared our youth (are) as they graduate high school given today’s education system?

In my experience, the students were engaged, confused, enthusiastic, anxious, bright, and curious which is exactly how I was at their age. The students graduating from our local schools are working with exceptional educators and are prepared to be well rounded life-long learners and succeed when they take the next step to work, apprenticeship, college, or university.

What I heard from business and industry during my time with OYAP was an expectation that secondary schools should be producing a ready-made workforce that was fully certified with 14-years of experience upon graduation. In my opinion, it is the adults and their perceptions of youth who are quick to blame the education system instead of taking on the responsibility to hire, train and mentor our local students upon graduation. To hear businesses say they will not hire youth or apprentices because they only want experienced and certified people, then turn around and ask all levels of government and the education system what they are going to do to increase the number of experienced and certified people they need is frustrating. Others believe if they make the commitment to train a young person (e.g., Apprenticeship) they will leave for another company that pays more as soon as they are certified. This is such a short-sighted and outdated attitude and what seems to be lost to them is if they are not hiring local youth and apprentices, they are part of the problem and not the solution. It is also an ‘employees’ market’ right now and to retain youth who are currently being presented with so many opportunities, employers will need to provide competitive wages. If employers are not offering a living wage, youth will find someone who will.

In my opinion, it is dealing with these perceptions about today’s youth, the education system and understanding the local workforce that will win the day to retain our local youth.

Dave: I agree, the Agricultural Sector is and has always been a great place to learn the value of work, develop work ethic based on the concept that others are counting on you (animals, crops, people, etc.) and participate in a variety of experiences from sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), skilled trades, etc. needed to succeed in agriculture. I am guessing this question is based on the changing rural landscape where there are fewer ‘family farms’ meaning fewer opportunities for young people to develop these skills at an early age. In my experience students in elementary schools have more opportunities to participate in Experiential Learning to begin exploring the Education Pathways (Work, Apprenticeship, College, University) in STEM and Skilled Trades through challenges (E.g., Science Fairs), projects (E.g., STEM Faire), partnerships (E.g., National Engineering Month), events (E.g., NII SWERVE), school visits (E.g., SOS Trailer), Skills Ontario resources (E.g., Junk Drawer Races), etc. When students move to secondary school, there are even more opportunities for Experiential Learning to help determine what they like and dislike and as they progress, there are even more opportunities to explore careers through Coop, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), etc. It is during all these opportunities to engage with youth that we all need to take the responsibility to show the value of work, demonstrate what good work ethic means and provide the experiences youth need to make informed decisions about their futures and the opportunities for local careers.

In educating young people are nuclear waste management, new nuclear and net zero partnerships -- are there any ethical issues that are addressed?

Andy: A wide variety of housing types will be needed over the course of the proposed Project to meet the accommodation requirements of workers. Specifically in the preconstruction phase when the Toronto based NWMO office staff move to the siting area, short term (rental/commercial) accommodation may initially be required and then transition to more permanent types of housing as staff become more familiar and settled in the area.

The Housing Study prepared  for South Bruce and NWMO put forward the concept of a live work campus with commercial/rental suites that could meet the immediate housing needs of “Wave One” incoming staff, do the same for incoming workers in “Wave Two”.  and then subsequently be transitioned to meet community needs for low income and seniors‘  housing.

Clark: The studies that Deloitte undertook did not include in their scope the exploration of specific housing types that will be needed. 

Scott: For what its worth – for the Bruce Power project, we did contemplate a “camp” style arrangement.  Ultimately we decided that it wasn’t in our best interest and we actually thought the rental market was an important contribution to the community for those that may not directly work at oru site, but a way for them to benefit through real estate etc.

Quite likely this Project will produce numerous high paid jobs. How will local employers be able to compete with this? How will such wage disparity be mitigated by the NWMO? Or the Municipality?

Andy: There will be a number of high paying jobs created by the project. This is no different than circumstances now in the study area and across Southern Ontario. It is a reality of our socio-economic circumstances in Ontario that different jobs have different levels of compensation. It has been proposed that NWMO look to optimize job creation involving direct, indirect and induced job creation across the study area and to be cognizant that they do not “cannibalize” existing businesses to meet their own needs. NWMO, Municipalities and local businesses will need to work together to ensure negative consequences are minimized and positive opportunities are maximized.

The proposed Project sits on the edge of a huge labour shed to the south. If it is felt that NWMO is hurting local businesses by attracting area employees then the option is readily available to fulfill staffing requirements beyond the immediate area. Balancing job recruitment from the local area and further afield will be an ongoing initiative over the course of the Project.

Clark: If there are very few people in South Bruce who are qualified or apply for the jobs – then your competition is all of the communities around you. If those communities are proactive and plan for the housing and other amenities that are needed, then those communities will grow, and those communities will benefit from those new residents and that new growth.

That’s why you need to “Know Your Strategy” – That means targeted skills training and attraction initiatives will be needed to prepare South Bruce's labour force and youth for the jobs I mentioned earlier.

It also means local government needs to prepare for the infrastructure, housing, amenities – that economic development strategy needs to be prepared and executed.

How will the community/businesses know the type of skills/jobs that will be needed if the Project goes ahead? I want to ensure local businesses and employers have the opportunity for this Project.

Andy: It has been recommended that NWMO make the Municipalities and area businesses aware of the types of jobs, services and goods that will be required by the Project over its three waves in terms of direct, indirect and induced opportunities. This “awareness” should be formalized and ongoing, and all interests should be regularly notified.

Clark: The Local Hiring Effects Strategy aimed to maximize local employment associated with the Project and ensure the community has a skilled workforce to meet ongoing labour force needs of local businesses. Local means South Bruce.

We know that South Bruce is growing at a moderate rate, but local businesses are already competing for a limited labour pool. Data shows that South Bruce currently has a limited number of people working in the Occupational Categories that NWMO would need. These categories include enough talent in:

o             Industrial, electrical and construction trades

o             Workers in natural resources, agriculture, and related production

o             Jobs in transport and heavy equipment operation and related maintenance

o             Maintenance and equipment operation trades

There are certain realities in South Bruce that need to be confronted: aging and retiring population, gaps in labour supply and demand, skills mismatch, youth out-migration, business labour force concerns. Businesses here are mainly small and face workforce shortages. Employers told us about poor work ethic, lack of critical skills, problem-solving, and certifications. Local businesses also often compete with nearby cities for workers.

There are also gaps in South Bruce’s housing stock and limited housing options for new residents and locals that want to downsize. Less than a quarter of the South Bruce population works in the community -- the rest leaving the community to work. The ability to attract graduates and retain them in the community will depend on the Municipality improving the infrastructure in place, such as transportation, housing options, childcare, and lifestyle amenities.

Will South Bruce grow like Port Elgin grew after the nuclear plant was built?

Andy: There are several reasons South Bruce is very unlikely to  grow like Port Elgin after the nuclear plant was built. One, the proposed Project is a much smaller undertaking. Two, the number of communities in proximity to the Project have significant absorptive capability for accommodating portions of the workforce so that no one community is overwhelmed. Three, potential workers for the Project living in Kincardine and Port Elgin are within easy commuting distance and are unlikely to relocate. 

Right now we have the largest number of job vacancies while the lowest unemployment rate in the last decade. Is this baby boomers leaving the workforce, people not returning to work after COVID, the economy growing faster than the available workers can compensate for? How do you reconcile current labour force environment?

Andy: The issues raised are being studied and debated at all levels – local, provincial federal and international. There are no easy answers. The universal acknowledgement is that societies in their broadest sense are in profound transition across all jurisdictions.

Current and future considerations include but are not limited to: working past retirement thresholds;  birth rate increase incentives; decentralization of cities and workplaces; increased immigration and geographically channelized immigration; and last but by no means least, enhanced automation through robotics and artificial intelligence.

Clark: The Local Hiring Effects Study and Strategy found that there is currently a disconnect between employer-employee expectations. Employers have higher expectations around the skills required for entry-level jobs, but there is a mismatch with the skills and training of the local labour force.

Worker expectations for higher wages are commonly identified as a disconnect. The pandemic taught us that workers also want a livable community. Those extra services and amenities are critically important. For example, if South Bruce tackled the childcare shortage that we see in the average community – so that young families could be sure that there’s a space for their child – then that would go a long way to attracting workers. Employers have a role to play in that issue and others.

The Local Hiring Effects Study and Strategy also highlighted the benefits of using local union hiring halls to engage skilled trades on a contract basis. When we spoke to the community and various partners in workforce development – people said South Bruce will need to be oriented towards building workforce partnerships – that means improved relationships between the various players, especially neighbouring municipalities, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, educational institutions, unions, and others -- to ensure joint progress on mutual interests, including workforce, business, and development inquiries.

Development of soft skills? 

Andy: The proposed Project will offer a range of job opportunities involving engineering, technical and soft skills. The latter could include human resource functions, management activities, research and development initiatives, communications, public relations, health and safety matters etc.

Clark: The Local Hiring Effects Study and Strategy made recommendations on Creating a Strong Local Talent Pipeline, and those include developing soft skills. As parents, we all need to be building our kids’ abilities and strengths when it comes to work ethic, communication, time management, critical skills, and problem-solving. If it’s not taught in school, then we need to work even harder at it at home.

Make sure your school boards and local schools are involved in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the Specialist High Skills Major Program so students gain trade and industry related skills and certifications. The Youth Panel spoke well about these programs that are already here.

Get to know which local agencies promote hiring and training supports to local employers. Help local employers use these programs to attract local talent – and employers should encourage each other to use these supports – if you’re a business owner, think about using these programs.

Learn about the Launch Pad in Hanover and support it. During the study, it was specifically identified by locals as an important avenue to increase youth participation in the labour market. Support attracting youth to trades, STEM positions, agriculture, youth entrepreneurship and innovation

Scott: Consistent with how I answered this question in real time at the forum, I would add that soft skills for any job whether direct or indirect with the project are important.  Specifically around diversity, equity and building inclusive teams, being able to effectively communicate, being a strong motivator, having courage to coach peers in the workplace are all skills that employers will be looking for in the next generation of workforce.

Sounds like unless one wants a job with involvement with the nuclear industry – don’t bother staying in South Bruce – Comment 

Andy: The community studies involving Work Force Development and Regional Economic Development went to considerable length to point out a wide variety of job opportunities potentially associated with the Project that were non-nuclear in nature. While working directly on the site during construction and operations might require nuclear qualifications, offsite jobs involving supply chain activities and community service activities will not have these requirements. Moreover, agriculture is the mainstay of the South Bruce economy and recommendations but forward in the cited studies and others emphasize that the project needs to be compatible with agriculture and indeed strive to enhance agriculture through collaborative technology training, site use and ancillary business opportunities tied to agriculture.  

Clark: The defeatist attitude of “don’t bother staying in South Bruce” does not acknowledge the ambition, creativity, and intelligence of your young people. Let them explore the opportunities here, rather than limiting their success and directing them elsewhere. There are a multitude of career and entrepreneurial opportunities in South Bruce outside of the nuclear industry if the Project moves ahead. The Agriculture and Tourism studies both describe in great detail the other sectors that will benefit from the Project if mitigating measures are addressed.

Ask young people what they want! Key recommendations of Deloitte’s Economic Development Study on Youth were:

• Empower youth to gather and establish their preferred mechanism through which their voices can be heard on issues and priorities.
• Convene a champions’ table that brings together business, industry, educators, and employment support organizations to advance a shared commitment to youth career exploration, work integrated learning, and experiential opportunities.
• Accelerate South Bruce’s #NextGenNetwork initiative to connect, engage, build community, and inspire ideas among South Bruce residents under the age of 30

The ability to attract graduates and young professionals and retain them in the community will depend on improving the infrastructure in place here. There is also a need to reduce barriers to participation by addressing wraparound support services, such as transportation, childcare, and attainable housing options, all of which are essential to labour force readiness.

Support improvements to your community – especially those that appeal to a younger generation: support revitalization of your downtowns, recreation amenities. Promote livability in your communities, support Truth and Reconciliation, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives – increase that sense of belonging.

Community knowledge may be received during the impact assessment process’ public comment periods and can also be sought proactively by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, a review panel, the proponent, or other participants in an impact assessment. It can help provide missing information about the area, give a clearer picture of local concerns, and identify impacts that would otherwise not be considered. 

-Response provided by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 

• There are several opportunities for the public to participate in the regulatory process, including at Commission proceedings, where members of the public are welcome to observe and/or formally participate as intervenors.
  • The Participant Funding Program (PFP) is a long standing initiative which supports participation in project-specific licensing and environmental assessment processes, including participation in Commission proceedings.
  • Following extensive feedback from Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders on how to improve regulatory processes, the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund (ISCF) was launched in May 2023 to help interested stakeholders gain the capacity necessary to engage in the CNSC’s regulatory processes prior to and throughout the lifecycle of nuclear facilities and activities in Canada.
  • The OPG DGR hearings were public and took place in the communities of Kincardine and Port Elgin over eight weeks in 2013 and 2014. This was the longest series of public hearings for any development project in Canadian history.
    • Historical information relevant to the OPG DGR is available on the CNSC’s website (Ontario Power Generation's Deep Geologic Repository - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission)
    • Trust is central to the CNSC’s public engagement process. We also have a regulatory document which specifically addresses the importance of open, transparent, and easy to access communication with the public. REGDOC 3.2.1: Public Information and Disclosure sets requirements for licensees and license applicants to develop and implement a public information and disclosure program.

We understand the value of building relationships with the public and Indigenous Nations and communities, and continue to work toward building trust through meaningful engagement.

-Response provided by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 

Most impact assessments are conducted by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada; however, some may be assessed by review panels. A review panel is a group of independent experts appointed to conduct an impact assessment. For example, when a project includes activities that are regulated by lifecycle regulators, such as the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the assessment is referred to an integrated review panel. In these situations, the requirements of the applicable lifecycle regulator are integrated into the impact assessment process. The integrated review panel must include a representative(s) from the lifecycle regulator. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Adaptive Phase Management is an example of one such project. Other lifecycle regulators are the Canada Energy Regulator, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board. 

-Response provided by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 

There are a few factors that determine the type of enforcement action that is needed if a non-compliance occurs.  This includes:

-        The regulatory significance of the non-compliance

-        The circumstances that led to the non-compliance

-        The entire compliance history of the regulated party

-        Any operational and legal constraints

-        Any industry-specific factors

The overall goal is to determine a response (or multiple responses) that will be most likely to result in restoring compliance as quickly and effectively as possible. There are several different tools that the CNSC can use to enforce compliance. These include (generally in order of increasing severity):

1. Notice of Non-Compliance – a written notice requesting the licensee take action to correct the non-compliance.
2. Warning Letter – a written warning to a licensee of an unresolved non-compliance, warning of the possibility of escalated enforcement.
3. Increased Regulatory Scrutiny – increasing regulatory oversight of a particular facility or activity beyond baseline requirements. This could include increased reporting requirements, increased scope and/or frequency of inspections, modified inspection strategies, increased meetings with the licensee or additional technical assessments.
4. Request under the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations section 12(2) – this is a legal instrument to which the licensee must respond. A licensee is legally required to provide any requested information within the specified timeframe. 
5. Order – a legal instrument used to compel a licensee to take any measure considered necessary to protect the health and safety of persons and the environment, and to maintain national security and compliance with Canada’s international obligations.
6. Administrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) – a fine that that can be imposed in order to promote compliance and deterring future non-compliances.
7. Licensing Action – this can include revoking a licence, suspending a licence (in whole or in part), additional licence conditions, including hold points in the licence, or reducing the length of a licence.
8. Decertification – the CNSC qualifies certain individual to carry out their duties.  Decertification is the removal of this qualification.
9. Prosecution – laying charges against a person if an offense has been committed under an Act. 

As noted above, having previous warnings is one of the factors that will be considered so previous warnings are taken into account. However, the safety significance of the non-compliance would also be considered. For example, if there is an immediate risk to the health and safety of people or the environment, CNSC inspectors would issue an Order to stop work without any previous enforcement actions. For transparency, all significant regulatory actions are posted on our website at:  Regulatory actions - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

• Pacific and Yukon Regional Office 
• Prairie and Northern Regional Office 
• Ontario Regional Office 
• Quebec Regional Office 
• Atlantic Regional Office 
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia 
  • St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador 

Active impact assessments are listed on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry at canada.ca/ciar. The Canadian Impact Assessment Registry will always contain the latest information on the latest assessments, check back often!  

As of May 1, 2023, there are several assessments underway across Canada.  

During the planning phase of the impact assessment process, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will determine whether an impact assessment is required, and, if one is, create documents that outline how the assessment will be carried out. The planning phase is underway for the following projects: 

• the Spanish Mountain Gold Project, near Williams Lake, British Columbia; 
• the Fording River Extension Project, near Elkford, British Columbia; 
• the Tent Mountain Mine Redevelopment Project, near Coleman, Alberta; 
• the Aspen Power Station Project near Lanigan, Saskatchewan; 
• the Northern Road Link Project, in Northern Ontario; 
• the Hydrogen Ready Power Plant Project, near Sarnia, Ontario; 
• the Georgina Island Fixed Link Project, in Georgina, Ontario; 
• the Troilus Mining Project in Baie-James, Quebec; and 
• the Marban Gold Mine Project in Val-d’Or, Quebec. 

There are also several projects in the impact statement phase of the impact assessment process. For these projects, the companies or entities that are proposing the projects (the project proponents) are collecting information and conducting studies to assess the potential effects of the projects. These include:  

• the Value Chain Solutions – Heartland Complex Expansion Project near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta 
• the Webequie Supply Road Project, in Northern Ontario 
• the Marten Falls Community Access Road Project, in Northern Ontario; 
• the Crawford Nickel Project near Timmins, Ontario; 
• the Upper Beaver Gold Project near Kirkland Lake, Ontario; 
• the Wasamac Gold Mine Project, in Wasamac, Quebec; and  
• the Sorel-Tracy Port Terminal Project, in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. 

Projects that will be assessed by review panels under the Impact Assessment Act include: 

• the GCT Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project in British Columbia; and  
• the Suncor Base Mine Extension Project near Fort McMurray, Alberta.  
• the Gazoduq Project, a pipeline proposed between northeastern Ontario and Saguenay, Quebec, is currently the only active integrated assessment under the Impact Assessment Act. 

There are also several projects that continue to be assessed under the previous legislation, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, which can be found on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry by browsing https://iaac aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/exploration?active=true&document_type=project. 

Finally, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada provides guidance to proponents and training to the public for projects such as the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Adaptive Phased Management Project that have not yet entered the planning phase of the impact assessment process. Once the planning phase of the impact assessment process begins for these projects, they will be added to the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.   

-Response provided by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 

When transporting radioactive materials, in many cases (including shipments of used nuclear fuel), it is almost impossible to shield all radiation emitted by the contents. To address this, the transportation regulations set safe radiation emission limits for transportation packages. These limits guide package designers in their work to minimize radiation hazards to workers, the public and the environment. Radiation emissions from transportation packages are specific to their design and contents.

For the used fuel transportation package (UFTP), the package proposed for the transport of CANDU fuel, radiological dose emitted by the package are discussed in detail in the NWMO report NWMO-TR-2015-17. The dose emitted by the UFTP is low. The dose to an observer standing at 3.5 m from a single passing UFTP shipment travelling at 24 km/h is less than the dose received during one second of airflight at a cruising altitude of about 10 km (33,000 ft). Similarly, the annual dose to the driver of the shipments is roughly equivalent to the dose received during 90 hours of flight, or slightly more than three return flights from Toronto to Tokyo, Japan. All shielding is provided by the transportation package. No additional shielding in the tractor cabs is required.

For the used fuel transportation package (UFTP), the package proposed for the transport of CANDU fuel, radiological dose emitted by the package are discussed in detail in the NWMO report NWMO-TR-2015-17 (available externally at: https://www.nwmo.ca/-/media/Site/Reports/NWMO_TR_2015_17-EN.ashx?sc_lang=fr ). The dose emitted by the UFTP is low. The dose to an observer standing at 3.5 m from a single passing UFTP shipment travelling at 24 km/h is less than the dose received during one second of airflight at a cruising altitude of about 10 km (33,000 ft). Similarly, the annual dose to the driver of the shipments is roughly equivalent to the dose received during 90 hours of flight, or slightly more than three return flights from Toronto to Tokyo, Japan. All radiation shielding is provided by the transportation package itself. No additional shielding is required in the tractor cab.

1. “Hot cells” are controlled spaces where work is performed on radioactive materials remotely using manipulators, hoists, robotics or other remotely-controlled tools, while workers stay outside, safely protected from the radiation. Hot cells are special rooms surrounded by thick shielding walls and shielding windows, which block radiation fields. The air space inside the hot cells is held at a low pressure by a specialized ventilation system. This ventilation ensures that the air always flows into the hot cell, and never in the other direction. The ventilation exhaust is filtered and monitored.

2. Hot cell technology is not new. Hot cells have been in operation for over 75 years. Some examples of early hot cells include those constructed for the Irradiated Material Examination and Testing facility (IMET) in the 1950s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee, USA, which are still in use today. Another example of an even older hot cell facility would be the Radioisotope Development Laboratory at ORNL, which was built in the early 1940s. These hot cells were used for research in nuclear science and nuclear medicine, and were safely decommissioned in 2021. In Canada, the TRIUMF facility at UBC, Vancouver, has been using hot cells to handle radioactive materials for particle physics research since the 1970s.

3. The packaging of radioactive waste materials using a hot cell is also not new. This type of work has been ongoing since hot cells have been in operation. In Canada, the Isotope Separator and Accelerator (ISAC) facility at TRIUMF, UBC, Vancouver, has been packaging radioactive accelerator target waste materials using a hot cell and shipping this waste in certified transportation flasks to Chalk River, Ontario for underground disposal since the early 2000s. In Europe, the well-proven PADIRAC cask system has been used to package radioactive materials reliably with a hot cell for over 30 years. The Sellafield facility in the UK has been packaging vitrified radioactive waste into metallic containers using hot cells since 1991.

NWMO is working on a new facility design for packaging Canada’s used nuclear fuel using hot cells. This design will be based on proven technologies for performing hot cell operations that are already well established. Posiva Oy in Finland plans to begin packaging used nuclear fuel in their encapsulation plant hot cells by the mid-2020s. Canada’s Used Fuel Packaging Plant is still in the design phase and will not be constructed until the 2040s. Although our design is currently based on proven technologies, Canada will also be able to leverage operational experience from other countries like Finland during our design phase