Public Notice of Intent to pass a by-law - Referendum Question

Notice of Intent to pass a by-law authorizing the submission of a question to the electors (Referendum By-Law) in a by-election in 2024

Notice dated April 3, 2024

The Municipality of South Bruce Council is considering passing a By-law to authorize the submission of the following question to the electors (“Referendum By-Law”) in a by-election in 2024:

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)?

Share your Opinion:

Electors are invited to provide comments on the passage of the Referendum By-Law and the wording of the potential question. The question must concern a matter within the jurisdiction of the Municipality, be clear, concise and neutral, and be capable of being answered with a yes or no. The deadline for providing a written comment on the wording of the potential referendum question is April 11, 2024 for inclusion in the public meeting agenda package.

Public Meeting:

Comments from the public will be compiled and presented at a special meeting of Council on April 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers located at 21 Gordon Street East, Teeswater. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting. The by-law authorizing the submission of the question (Referendum) to the electors in 2024 will be considered by Council at the April 23^rd regular meeting of Council. 

How to Participate:

You may attend the meeting in person as directed above or virtually using the link found within the agenda which will be posted on the Municipality’s website in advance of the meeting. Please contact the Clerk at 519-392-6623 ext. 229 if you have any questions regarding how to participate in the meeting.

How to Submit Comments:

Please submit written comments to the Clerk at the address below or via email to: vkennedy@southbruce.ca

Municipality of South Bruce, c/o Municipal Clerk

21 Gordon Street East, Box 540, Teeswater, Ontario N0G 2S0

Phone: 519-392-6623

This notice is provided in accordance with subsections 8.1 (3) & (5) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (“MEA”).

Consequences of the Referendum Question:

If the question is authorized by the Referendum By-law, voters will be asked to answer yes or no to the question.

If a minimum of 50% of eligible voters cast a vote on the question, and more than 50% of the votes cast are “yes”, the Municipality will pass a resolution declaring South Bruce to be a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed Deep Geological Repository. In the event of a “yes” vote, the Municipality will continue to participate in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s site selection process and South Bruce could be selected as the host community for the proposed Deep Geological Repository.

If a minimum of 50% of eligible voters cast a vote on the question, and more than 50% of the votes cast are “no”, the Municipality will exit the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s site selection process and South Bruce will no longer be eligible to be selected as the host community for the proposed Deep Geological Repository.

If less than 50% of eligible voters cast a vote on the question, the results of the referendum are not binding, and the decision on whether South Bruce is or is not a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s proposed Deep Geological Repository will be made by Municipal Council.

Costs of Implementing the Results of the Referendum:

Any costs incurred by the Municipality to continue its participation in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s site selection process will be covered by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization under the Multi-Year Funding Agreement between the Municipality and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.

Appeals:

Appeals on the grounds that the questions authorized by the Referendum By-law do not comply with subsections 8.1(2) paragraphs 3. It shall be clear, concise and neutral, and 4. It shall be capable of being answered “yes” or “no”, of the MEA may be made to the Province’s Chief Electoral Officer within 20 days after Notice of the passage of the Referendum By-law is given. The notice of appeal setting out any objections to the questions authorized in the Referendum By-law and the reasons in support of the objection(s) may be filed with the Municipal Clerk.

Privacy Statement & Consent:

Comments about the referendum question and information submitted with your comment, including your name, address and contact information, is personal information, and is collected under the authority of section 8.1 of the MEA. Once submitted, this information will form part of a public Council or Committee agenda, which may be viewed by the public and posted at www.southbruce.ca/agendas.

By submitting comments, residents’ consent to the disclosure of their name, contact information and comments or opinions being shared with the public in an open meeting of the Municipal Council.