If you live in Ignace and South Bruce, we want to hear from you. The two Ontario communities and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) are carrying out a second community survey and we want to hear your thoughts. The goal is to better understand how to improve the way the organization and communities communicate and engage with the siting communities about Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.
The surveys will appear in mailboxes this week and will give residents the opportunity to share how they want to receive information and be involved moving forward. The survey focuses on the environmental, technical and socio-economic studies that will be initiated in early 2021.
“The questions in the survey were prepared by the NWMO, the Township of Ignace and the Municipality of South Bruce,” said Ignace Mayor Penny Lucas. “The survey will help to understand current community awareness and interest in the project.”
All households in Ignace and South Bruce will receive a mailed copy of the short survey, however it can also be completed online or over the phone anytime between January 18th and February 26th.
“Our residents can let us know how they want to receive information and be involved moving forward by completing this survey. This is important to us as a Municipality as we continue in this process with our community and learn more through the studies that will take place,” said South Bruce Mayor Robert Buckle. “I encourage all in South Bruce to participate.”
The survey is being conducted by CCI Research, an independent Canadian research firm. They will provide the results of the survey and report to Council and the Community Liaison Committees in Ignace and South Bruce later in 2021.
“Talking to people and hearing what they think – their priorities and values, questions and concerns – is a fundamental part of implementing Canada’s plan. Community surveys are one of the ways we can get to hear from residents,” said Dr. Ben Belfadhel, Vice President of Site Selection, NWMO. “Our goal is to understand awareness of the project, and the topics people are interested in learning more about through community studies in 2021.”
Ignace and South Bruce are the two areas currently involved in the NWMO’s site selection process for a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel.
The NWMO is tasked with implementing Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term storage of used nuclear fuel in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come in an area with informed and willing hosts.