Staff photo of consultations prior to COVID
The next major step in the process of deciding whether a deep geological nuclear repository should be located in the Ignace area is about to be launched.
The community will soon be embarking on willingness consultations to see if people want Ignace to stay involved in the site selection process or pull out.
Mayor Penny Lucas says they hired a third party, independent consultant to carry out the work.
Lucas says consultations will be through surveys and hopefully face-to-face meetings or small group sessions once COVID restrictions ease.
She notes this stage is really two-fold.
“Answer their questions, if they have any questions, because we want to make sure if people are going to say yes or no or whatever they are going to say that they are making that decision based on information that is available to them. Not just gut feeling or because so-and-so said so.?
Lucas adds “Understand what we’re asking them about, what the project is all about, and make sure that they are comfortable when we ask do them ‘How do they feel about the project?’ ‘Would they like to see it in their community or not?”
Consultations are expected to begin later this month.
The Township of Ignace and neighbouring communities have been learning about the project for the last 10 years.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization has said they will only proceed with the project if the host community states they are willing to have a repository in their area.
The NWMO plans to select a site in 2023, and two areas remain in the site selection process: the Ignace area South Bruce.
