Dear Editor,

As Member of Parliament for Pontiac, I take seriously my responsibility for raising the concerns of my constituents regarding the current proposal to build a nuclear waste disposal facility at the Chalk River Laboratories site.
The low-grade radioactive material at the Chalk River site is left over from decades of nuclear science and technology research, including the production of medical isotopes. This waste must be addressed and the highest priority must be to protect the public and our environment. The existing contamination must be cleaned up — all reasonable options and alternatives must be considered. Doing nothing is not an option. This is an historic nuclear waste legacy that demands a world-class clean-up.

Simply saying “no” without proposing alternatives is not enough. Finding long-term solutions for this radioactive material represents an opportunity to make a safe Chalk River site even safer by decommissioning existing structures and storing demolition debris. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) has proposed to build a near surface disposal facility. I am calling on CNL to explain to the public what other reasonable options have been considered, what alternatives were examined, and why the decision to move forward with this particular proposal was ultimately taken. If CNL decides to revise their proposal, then it is incumbent upon them to address any and all public concerns that have been expressed. Federal law requires that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), an arms-length regulator that operates independently of the Government of Canada, undertake an environmental assessment of the CNL proposal.
The environmental assessment of the project will consider all potential impacts of the project to human health and the environment. The CNSC is legally required to examine alternatives to the proposal as part of the assessment. The CNSC assessment is an objective, arms-length process that provides opportunities for public comment. Opportunities for public intervention will continue to be provided at various stages of the assessment.
Public information meetings are ongoing and there will be formal public hearings in 2018. Once the public consultation and hearings are completed, the CNSC will review all comments and submissions received and will make a decision on whether or not the project can proceed. The CNSC will only approve the CNL proposal if it is deemed safe both now and in the future. From the beginning, I have participated in the CNSC environmental assessment process and I have actively encouraged public engagement. I also have consulted directly and extensively with constituents and stakeholders, from cottagers, environmental groups, mayors and councillors, Algonquin leaders, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), and my Parliamentary colleagues. I organized a meeting between the CNSC and the MRC Pontiac mayors on April 27, 2017.
Pontiac constituents have communicated their desire for more open house consultation, opportunities to ask questions, raise concerns and obtain more information on the CNL proposal. I formally requested that the CNSC hold additional open house consultations in any municipality that requests one, including in Gatineau and I am pleased that they have confirmed an Oct. 2 meeting in Sheenboro.
The consultation will take place at the Parish Hall, 59 Chemin Sheenboro, from 17:30 to 19:30. I plan on attending.
Pontiac constituents belonging to the Algonquin Nation have expressed concern with respect to the indigenous consultation aspect of this process. I urge the CNSC to allocate adequate funding to enable appropriate expert and traditional knowledge in the context of their participation. I will continue to consult with Algonquin leaders on this file. I will continue to listen to constituents as this environmental assessment process proceeds to ensure that Pontiac has a voice to represent their concerns about the health of the Ottawa River.
I reiterate my previous statements published across local media outlets: “Let’s get the facts on the table and build a critical, open and respectful dialogue through the CNSC assessment process.”

William Amos
Member of Parliament for Pontiac