Plans to ship Radioactive waste through St. Lawrence Seaway to Sweden By Jason Setnyk – Cornwall Ontario – July 15, 2010

Cornwall ON – Bruce Power is seeking a licence from the Nuclear Safety Commission to transport 1760 tonnes of radioactive steel through the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway, passing Cornwall Ontario, on its way overseas. If this plan is approved the 16 used steam generators are going to be shipped to Sweden going through both Canadian and American waters.

The transportation of radioactive materials through Canadian waters has some citizens and politicians concerned. Mike Bradley (the Mayor of Sarnia) and Elizabeth May (leader of the Green Party) are both critical of the plan. If the shipment is approved it would set a precedent for transporting radioactive materials through the Great Lakes, and it could create a rubber stamp for these kinds of shipments in the future without public notice or approval.

Although a disaster is unlikely, according to environmentalists, a disaster could be truly devastating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River represent 20% of the worlds fresh drinking water, drinking water for more than 40 million people. Supporters of Nuclear Energy claim that even if there was a disaster, the damage would be minimal.

6 Comments

  1. What would you suggest they do with the contaminated materials in Canada? Right now only France and Denmark have the capability to deal with the contaminated material. It is ok to complain but can you provide a different solution? Our current practices are nothing more then dumping as done near Port Granby.

    Has anyone ever heard of Eldorado Nuclear?

    The Canadian government or Crown Corporation held a monopoly on uranium prospecting and development in Canada until 1948 after purchasing the company in the early 40’s.

    They built a state-of-the-art refinery in Port Hope, Ontario in 1933. Radium production took place between 1933 and 1940 following WWII when European markets wanted for radium material. The other byproduct of the company was silver, copper, and uranium salts. Uranium was useless until scientists realized the enormous energy potential of the uranium atom. The Canadian government or Crown Corporation held a monopoly on uranium prospecting and development in Canada until 1948 after purchasing the company in the early 40’s

    The crown corporation was dismantled in 1988 and merged with assets of the Saskatchewan Mining Development Corporation (SMDC) to become Cameco Corporation. The old records of the company are housed in the National Archives of Canada. Now Cameco is responsible to clean all the governments’ industrial indiscretions all the wile being governed by another Crown Corporation known as the CNSC

    See we have proof that Crown Corporations can be dissolved and that the government is not necessarily playing ball with in the confines of its own legislation

  2. So what was the plan to begin with? they know this is really bad for the environment, so they must of had plan of recycling to begin with right? IF it is possible to recycle it, get these rich prXXX to by off some scientists and whatever from other companies or blueprints or whatever for this process because I’m not OK with shipping such potential hazard, I’m sure they don’t give a #$%!@ either because it’s all about money right? I’ve never heard of a poll in my city, Cornwall, Asking for opinions based on this. Becca use honestly I’m sure with a little public awareness this thing would go right down the shithole. So come on Cornwallfreenews lets get a poll going on or something

  3. Author

    Hi Chris,

    So what would the poll questions be? Have you seen many letters to the editor in any of the area media? Have you sent any?

  4. I guess there were quite a few nuclear reactors built on earthquake fault lines in Japan. Duck and cover.

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