Premier Wall on northern SK's nuclear waste management issue

[Oscar]

Premier Wall remarks about northern Saskatchewan's nuclear waste management issue

----- Original Message -----
From: HUESSS Campaign
Sent: Friday, October 12, 2012 9:44 AM
Subject: Premier Wall remarks about northern Saskatchewan's nuclear waste management issue

Hello everyone,

Please note below the very important exchange of emails between Pat McNamara (working with northern communities on the nuclear waste issue) and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.

Premier Wall writes about NWMO's extensive open consultations in communities, but northern residents know better. They have been speaking out about the meetings going on behind closed doors.

Pat’s reply to the Premier mentions the excellent news report that was posted just yesterday by Sandra Cuffe, freelance journalist: “Open Consultations, Behind Closed Doors: Premier Brad Wall, northern community residents disagree on transparency of nuclear waste site selection process”

http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/
extensive-open-consultations-behind-closed-doors/13430

Please click on the hotlink above to read Sandra’s report.

For more information call 306-288-7933.

It is also worth noting in Premier Wall's letter the following statment: "While not a priority for the province, allowing communities to explore the potential for a repository is consistent the mandate of the NWMO and the government’s response to the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) report."

This shows that the UDP Report is still very much an active part of his Saskatchewan Party government's agenda, despite its having been rejected by an overwhelming 88% of those responding to the public consultation process in 2009. Brad Wall and his government REFUSE to listen!

Your HUES3 Campaign Committee

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Subject: Willing Host Community & Consultation

Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:34:01 -0400

Premier Wall,

Thank you for your letter this morning concerning the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s attempt to locate a waste storage facility in Saskatchewan. I’d like to make a couple of comments on the following paragraph from your letter.

“The NWMO site selection process involves extensive open consultations within the willing host communities. The support of the residents of these communities, as well as the support of the surrounding region, is a requirement to move forward in the site selection process. I encourage you to review the NWMO website which provides information on the consultation process and the path forward.”

Your choice of words in the opening sentence is not accurate. Pinehouse, English River First Nations and Creighton are NOT “willing host communities.” They are communities whose leaders have expressed an interest in learning more about the project. They cannot be considered “willing host communities” until the residents give their support.

Communities across the north will be reassured however, by the second part of the paragraph that states the decision on a waste repository will be made by the residents of the surrounding region, not by residents of one community.

The following is a link to Sandra Cuffe’s most recent article on NWMO.

http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/
extensive-open-consultations-behind-closed-doors/13430

Pat McNamara
entwork@hotmail.com

- - - - - -

October 10, 2012

Pat McNamara

Dear Pat McNamara:

Thank you for your recent emails regarding Canada’s nuclear industry.

As you may be aware, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has been tasked by the Government of Canada with identifying a suitable location for the storage of used nuclear fuel in Canada. As part of their process, the NWMO has held consultations in Canadian jurisdictions involved in the nuclear fuel cycle. Saskatchewan, being one of the world’s largest uranium producers, has been included in these consultations.

The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes the efforts of the NWMO in its attempt to identify a safe and secure site in an informed and willing community to host Canada’s long-term used nuclear fuel management facilities. Interested communities, including those in Saskatchewan, have the opportunity to participate in the early stages of the NWMO’s site selection process through which geological potential, economic and social impacts, and community fit will be assessed.

The NWMO site selection process involves extensive open consultations within the willing host communities. The support of the residents of these communities, as well as the support of the surrounding region, is a requirement to move forward in the site selection process. I encourage you to review the NWMO website which provides information on the consultation process and the path forward.

As an identified jurisdiction for potential site selection based on its uranium industry, Saskatchewan wants to remain engaged and informed with the NWMO on progress and decisions as the site selection moves forward.

While not a priority for the province, allowing communities to explore the potential for a repository is consistent the mandate of the NWMO and the government’s response to the Uranium Development Partnership (UDP) report. The government continues to collect information on this issue and plans to make a decision based on the merits of a proposal and the support of informed provincial residents.

Thank you for your interest on this subject.

Brad Wall
Premier


cc Honourable Bill Boyd
Minister of the Economy

Honourable Tim McMillan
Minister Responsible for Energy and Resources