Indigenous resistance mounts to nuclear waste dump near Otta

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Indigenous resistance mounts to nuclear waste dump near Ottawa River

[ https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/indigenous-re ... -1.6804477 ]

Patrick Quinn - March 12, 2024

First Nations leaders took their opposition to a recently approved radioactive waste disposal site near the Ottawa River to Parliament Hill February 14, calling on the federal government to halt the project that they say threatens drinking water, wildlife and their fundamental rights.

On January 8, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) approved plans for a nuclear waste disposal facility at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) site at Chalk River. The near-surface facility located about 160 kilometres northwest of Ottawa would feature a mound holding up to a million cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste about one kilometre from the Ottawa River.

"We stand united in safeguarding the well-being of our shared environment and the fundamental right of all Canadians to access clean and uncontaminated drinking water," said Kebaowek Chief Lance Haymond, whose territory is adjacent to the proposed site.

Kebaowek is challenging the commission’s decision in Federal Court because it didn’t secure the First Nation’s free, prior and informed consent and conducted “consultations in a procedurally unfair way.” A second legal challenge launched by three citizens’ groups cites numerous environmental concerns, arguing that long-lived radioactive materials put the public at risk of developing cancer, birth defects and genetic mutations. . . .

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