South Bruce Voters Say they are a Willing Host for DGR

For Immediate Release

October 28, 2024

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – Eligible voters in South Bruce have voted in favour of declaring the community a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) following a public referendum.

51% of votes cast expressed willingness to host the NWMO Project. With a majority of eligible voters (69%) participating in the October 28 referendum, the outcome is binding on Council under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act.

“We are so pleased that South Bruce voters came out to have their say on this important decision” said Mayor Mark Goetz. “It is an extremely proud moment to have our community make such a momentous decision through a democratic vote.”

The NWMO has said it will only site the facility to store the used fuel in a willing host community. While the vote determined the Municipality is a willing host for the Project, it does not guarantee that the Project will be sited in South Bruce. The NWMO will select its preferred site following the completion of willingness processes in other communities.

Council will formally receive the referendum results at a special Council meeting November 12 at 5 p.m. More information about the 2024 South Bruce referendum, including the referendum results, is available on the Municipal website.

More information about the South Bruce willingness process can be found in the Willingness Study Final Community Engagement Report.