Municipality of South Bruce invites participation in ongoing consultation process with the community

For Immediate Release
July 21, 2021

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – The Municipality of South Bruce encourages all residents and ratepayers to participate in the consultation process facilitated by GHD on how we determine our community’s willingness to host the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) Project.

In light of the easing public health measures in the Province, the Municipality is happy to announce that twelve, one hour in-person workshops will take place on July 28^th and 29^th in Formosa, Mildmay, and Teeswater to further provide the community with the opportunity to participate.  

This consultation process, which began in early June, is in response to broad community input received over the past several years. Council, in collaboration with what they heard from residents, established 36 Guiding Principles in the Fall of 2020 to guide the Municipality’s consideration of the Project. In particular, Principle #9 captures the importance of having an open and transparent process that allows the community to express its level of willingness to host the Project in a manner that is independent of the NWMO.

To accomplish this, the Municipality hired an experienced independent and neutral community engagement consultant, GHD Limited, to facilitate a process for the Municipality with our residents and ratepayers. This includes community workshops (virtual and in-person) as one of several methods to gather input.

Workshops are facilitated by GHD, with support from Municipal staff. The NWMO is not involved in this consultation process and NWMO staff are not present at community workshops.

“We encourage members of our community to participate in this process. This is an important opportunity, for us to understand how our residents want to measure their willingness to host the Project,” said Mayor Robert Buckle.

Residents and ratepayers who have yet to provide input and cannot attend in-person, are invited to pick up a fillable workbook from the Municipal Office or Formosa, Mildmay, or Teeswater Library; or complete the online survey on South Bruce’s community engagement tool, www.southbruceswitchboard.ca by August 13^th. There is also the opportunity to speak to a member of GHD’s consultation team directly by phone (1-833-583-2613) or email (WillingnessStudy@ghd.com).

All input on willingness received by GHD will be reported back to the community in the second phase of consultation, and then to Council in the Fall of 2021.

Additional information on the consultation activities, including the in-person workshops can be found at www.southbruceswitchboard.ca.

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South Bruce is one of two remaining communities that the Nuclear Waste Management Organization is considering for the site of a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel, a Centre of Expertise and many supporting facilities. The Municipality of South Bruce is working towards an informed decision for the community through the South Bruce Nuclear Exploration Project team, the Community Liaison Committee, and independent reviews to determine if the site is safe for people and the environment, offers positive benefits and if the community is willing to host the site.