Peterborough city council urges provincial government to suspend uranium exploration in the province

BRENDAN WEDLEY

City council called Monday night for the province to suspend uranium exploration — the same day the provincial government announced it would build two new nuclear reactors at its Darlington station.

John Kittle, with the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium, urged council to pass the resolution calling for the moratorium.

Allowing mining companies to explore for uranium in Ontario watersheds is a recipe for disaster, Kittle said.

“They’re not good neighbours,” he said. “The province should treat uranium as a high priority special case.

“We need to make it crystal clear to the province that we don’t want this.”

In addition to the environmental impacts, Kittle said the mining legislation allows companies to stake claims without permission from property owners or municipalities.

“It’s a throwback to the Wild West days and it’s still on the books,” he said of the legislation. “The McGuinty Liberals are determined to allow uranium exploration in Ontario.”

Council unanimously approved the resolution to ask the province for a moratorium untilall environmental and health issues related to uranium mining are resolved.

The gallery erupted with applause after the vote.

Full Story: Peterborough Examiner

Darlington to get 2 new reactors

Robert Benzie
Debra Black

Power-hungry Ontario wants new sources of electricity near Toronto. Hard-hit Durham Region wants jobs. Those factors won out over environmental fears and huge costs yesterday as the province announced that the Darlington nuclear plant will be expanded to accommodate two giant reactors.

Canada's first new reactors in two decades are expected to generate up to 3,200 megawatts of power. That is almost enough to power all homes and businesses in Toronto and nearly doubles Darlington's current capacity.
Toronto Star

Just in case we thought Queen's Park was actually listening... I love this though:
"Phillips declined to give a price tag for the Darlington project other than to say it would fit within the overall $26.3 billion replacement and refurbishment nuclear plan over the next 20 years.

"I won't give you an estimate today. The reason for that is we are going to use this very good, competitive process to get the possible deal," he said, acknowledging that even though the winning company would face "penalties" for some extra costs, ratepayers would be on the hook for the cost overruns. "

Has no one been paying attention to their hydro bills in the last 20 years? We're still paying for the first set of reactors, and not all of them are actually working.

Queen's Park to Grassy Narrows: Organizing to win

"I heard it on the television/ All the talking politicians/ Words are easy, words are cheap/ Much cheaper than our priceless land/ But promises can disappear/ Just like writing in the sand/" – Australian musician Yothu Yindi.

For years, every level of Canadian government has made assurances to the First Nations – most never carried out. But in just a couple weeks, we've seen amazing gains for First Nations communities in Ontario. Leaders have been freed from jail. The third largest logging company in North America has been driven away by resistance from the First Nations community that stakes claim on that land. Finally, diverse communities, organizations and individuals who have been hesitant to work together in the past are working hand-in-hand for Native land rights.

Carmelle Wolfsonrabble.ca

Peterborough Becomes #20!

Council against uranium mining in watershed
Posted By BY BRENDAN WEDLEY EXAMINER MUNICIPAL WRITER


City council wants the province to halt uranium exploration, mining and related processing in the Otonabee River watershed to protect the city's water supply.

Council, sitting as committee of the whole last night, supported a motion presented by an anti-nuclear group -Safe and Green Energy.
Peterborough Examiner

Congrats to SAGE for their excellent work!