South Bruce launches community consultation on willingness process

For Immediate Release
May 6th, 2021

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – A community-driven process to determine how to measure South Bruce’s willingness to host a deep geological repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel, was introduced to the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) and the public on Thursday evening.

The Municipality has hired GHD Limited to consult the community on how they would like willingness to be measured. Katrina McCullough, a Community Engagement Specialist with GHD, outlined the consultation process at the meeting.

In 2010, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) began a process to select a site for a DGR for the long term, safe storage of used nuclear fuel. Out of the 22 communities that expressed interest, South Bruce and Ignace are the two remaining communities that the NWMO is considering for the Project.

While the NWMO is developing its willingness criteria for the two communities in the site selection process, locally, the Municipality of South Bruce and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation are working independently to identify how they will each determine community willingness to host the project. The GHD presentation focused solely on the South Bruce process.

Consulting the community on how Willingness is measured

Residents of South Bruce called for an independent process on how willingness is determined for the multi-billion-dollar Project.

“The community provided their feedback last fall, and we listened. Council values the input of our residents, and we revised the Guiding Principles to reflect what was shared with us,” said Mayor Robert Buckle.

The Principles, which guide the Municipality in their engagement with the NWMO on the Project, saw the addition of Principle 9, that states: “The Municipality will, in collaboration with community members, develop and establish an open and transparent process that will allow the community to express its level of willingness to host the Project.”

The GHD presentation on Thursday set this process in motion.

Beginning in June, there will be multiple opportunities for residents and ratepayers to express how they want their willingness to host the Project to be measured.

Consultation will include virtual community workshops, an online survey, monthly drop-in Zoom calls, and one-on-one discussions with GHD consultants. Community organizations are also encouraged to invite GHD to meet virtually with their group to facilitate a discussion on this important topic. Additional information will be available on the South Bruce’s engagement tool, known as Switchboard. Residents are welcome to provide feedback on to the proposed consultation activities to the GHD Willingness Study team (WillingnessStudy@ghd.com or 1-833-583-2613). Answers to questions posed at the CLC meeting will be available on the Project's Community Questions and Answers page.

What happens after the discussions about how willingness will be measured?

After the initial consultation period, GHD will report back to the community in the fall to validate the information collected. In November 2021, GHD will present a report to South Bruce Council. Council will then determine the measurements of willingness to be used, considering what the community expressed.

Participation is a key component of working towards an informed decision on this major Project, however it should be noted that participation in this process will not be considered by the Municipality as support for the NWMO Project. Later in May, the Municipality will mail information to all South Bruce residents on how to participate in this important consultation. Information will also be regularly updated on the Switchboard page on an ongoing basis.

Timeline of key studies, as well as the willingness processes taking place, leading up to the selection of a site for the NWMO Project to store Canada’s used nuclear fuel.

-30-