ACTION ALERT: Coalition calls for Mining Moratorium

[Oscar]

December 3, 2007

Dear chapter activists,

This action alert is posted at
http://canadians.org/action/2007/03-Dec-07.html.

In September 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper proudly stated, "Energy is one of the key drivers of the Canadian economy, and it increasingly defines our place in the world. We're already the number one supplier of oil, natural gas, hydro-electricity and uranium to the United States."

The US Energy Information Administration seems to agree with our prime minister. They state that, "Almost all of Canada's energy exports go to the United States, making it the largest foreign source of US energy imports...Recognizing the importance of the energy trade between the two countries, both participate in the North American Energy Working Group, which seeks to improve energy integration and cooperation between Canada, the US, and Mexico."

Additionally, the Government of Canada notes that, "Canada is the world's number one producer of uranium with 1/3 of the global production. About 80% of uranium mined in Canada is exported." The Canadian Council of Chief Executives have noted that Canada provides 35 percent of the uranium used in the production of nuclear power in the United States.

The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America states as a goal the enhancement of "nuclear collaboration" between Canada, the United States and Mexico. While little information is available publicly, the August 2006 SPP 'Prosperity' document states that in this area the SPP seeks to "establish a cooperative work plan" by June 2006 and to "explore and agree on second round of initiatives" by June 2007.

Given serious environmental, health and safety concerns, the 2007 Council of Canadians annual general meeting resolved, "that the Council of Canadians urges all provincial and territorial governments and the government of Canada to ban all uranium exploration and mining."

ONTARIO
In Ontario, the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium has formed to prevent a uranium mine in Frontenac and Lanark region. They note that, "30,000 acres have been currently staked for uranium mining exploration" in this region. "If this mine is developed it will effect the drinking water of hundreds of thousand of people in the Ottawa Valley region."

In November 2007, Janice Kennedy wrote in the Ottawa Citizen, "Their concerns are understandable. When released from the rock that encases it, radioactive uranium can contaminate both air and water. The tailings, pulverized rock left over after extraction, possess elevated concentrations of radioisotopes. They release radon gas into the atmosphere and seepage water contains radioactive material and other toxins. From the proposed mine area, that water would end up in the Mississippi River watershed and ultimately in Ottawa, where it could filter into the capital's water supply."

SASKATCHEWAN
The Globe and Mail reported in November 2007 that, "Saskatchewan is the world's No. 1 producer of uranium...Brad Wall, Saskatchewan's recently elected premier and leader of the conservative Saskatchewan Party, said in May that his government would provide incentives to push uranium refining and a possible nuclear power plant in the province, doing the so-called value-added work in Saskatchewan rather than shipping away raw resources."

In November 2007, a group of concerned citizens in Saskatchewan wrote an open letter to the leaders of all provincial parties in Saskatchewan stating, "Saskatchewan is now the major front-end uranium supplier of the global nuclear system, and this issue demands public scrutiny." One of the questions they posed in their letter is, "How do you justify diverting scarce capital into a costly uranium refinery, or nuclear power plant, when there is such urgency to create truly sustainable, non-polluting, renewable energy systems to avert catastrophic climate change? Especially when these sustainable alternatives are cheaper, create far more and much safer employment, and can get on-stream quickly enough to make a difference?"

TAKE ACTION
The Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium is calling for a moratorium on uranium mining in Eastern Ontario. To sign their petition,
please go to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ccamu/index.html.

You are also encouraged to send a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper at pm@pm.gc.ca.

SAMPLE MESSAGE:

Prime Minister Harper,

Reputable scientists have linked uranium exploration and mining to rising cancer rates and related diseases in neighboring communities.

Uranium exploration and mining contaminates the surrounding environment and water sources for generations. Uranium is also a key component of all nuclear, atomic and radiological weapons and military equipment.

As a member of the Council of Canadians, I am calling on the Government of Canada to work with the provinces, industry and unions to ban all uranium exploration and mining and to develop fair and just transitions programs for the community and all workers involved in the uranium industry.

<your name>

Brent Patterson
Director of Campaigns, Organizing,
& the Blue Planet Project
The Council of Canadians
700-170 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5V5
1-800-387-7177 ext. 291
bpatterson@canadians.org
www.canadians.org