Kahnawà:ke opposes nuclear waste through St. Lawrence Seaway

09/29/2010

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that it is strongly opposed to a proposal to ship nuclear waste from Ontario’s Bruce Power facility through the St. Lawrence Seaway.

A Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke Executive Directive (MCED) is expected to be passed at this upcoming Monday’s Council Meeting to outline the MCK’s position in the matter.

The MCK joins Akwesasne in its opposition to the proposal.

In 1999, the MCK passed a Resolution condemning the Federal Government’s decision to accept MOX fuel into Canada and, more specific, its decision to use the St. Lawrence Seaway to transport the nuclear fuel materials to its destination. The new MCED will be more general in nature and will include the MCK’s refusal to allow any and all nuclear-related materials to pass through the Territory.

“The fact that the Seaway was built right through our Territory without our approval in the first place is bad enough,” said Environment Portfolio Chief Clinton Phillips. “To use it to transport nuclear waste literally through our back yard would be adding insult to injury – in a huge way. There is absolutely no way we’ll stand for it.”