Community Liaison Committee Learns of NWMO Project’s Labour Needs and Local Considerations

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2022

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – The Community Liaison Committee (CLC) Special Meeting last night focused on the expected workforce needs of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) Project. The Committee also learned about the current local labour pool and potential strategies to create a strong local workforce that meets needs over the long term and offers opportunities for youth.

Dave Rushton, Project Manager for the South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Team at the Municipality of South Bruce, and Allan Webster, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Environmental Assessment at the NWMO, jointly gave the presentation as study managers for their respective organizations. The presentation summarized the findings of the Labour Baseline, Workforce Development, and Local Hiring Effects studies.

The Regional Study Area (a broad area encompassing seven counties and Waterloo Region) has a sufficient supply of labour to meet the needs of the Project. The local labour supply also has a high concentration of the types of jobs which the Project would require, except for mining which would likely be sourced from other parts of the province.

The study managers explained the impacts the Project would have on local employment and existing businesses. In South Bruce particularly, businesses are already facing workforce shortages, an absence of appropriate skills, and competition with employers in larger centres.

As businesses grow and new businesses locate in the area, they will need access to a skilled labour force. The studies acknowledged that transportation, housing options, and amenities are needed to attract and retain graduates with the right skills.

The presentation also shared insights into how a skilled workforce can be developed and maintained – both for the Project and for existing local businesses. For example, the Workforce Development Study presented an “Incubate and Cultivate” approach which involves customizing training and education programs to align with Project needs. Ultimately, it would engage industry, union, and college partners to work together to increase the supply of trades that will be in high demand.  

In conclusion, it was suggested that a local hiring strategy specific to South Bruce be developed to maximize Project-related employment and at the same time, ensure the ongoing needs of other businesses are met.

The entire presentation is available in the CLC Agenda package, and copies of the studies and peer reviews can be found at www.southbruce.ca/Studies. A summary document has been mailed to community members, which will be the practice following each of the upcoming meetings to help inform the public about the studies.

The CLC’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 2.The theme of the presentation will be Urban Growth and it will share the results of the Housing Needs & Demand Analysis and Land Use studies.

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