MCK supports Saugeen Ojibway Nation fight against planned nuclear waste depository

05/14/2015

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to advise the community that a letter has been sent to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in support of their fight against the planned nuclear waste depository site at the nearby Bruce Power facility.

The proposed ‘Deep Geologic Repository’ to store some 200,000 cubic meters of nuclear waste 700 meters underground is located adjacent to Lake Huron. Saugeen Chief Vernon Roote has made clear his community’s concerns regarding this ill-advised plan.

“We’ve been keeping close watch on this situation since the failed plan to ship the nuclear waste through the Seaway was announced a few years ago,” said MCK Environment Portfolio Chief Clinton Phillips. “While the Bruce Power plant is hundreds of kilometers from Kahnawà:ke, any potential nuclear contamination problem could nonetheless affect not only us but the 40 million-plus people who use the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River for drinking water.

“On this basis, we have an obligation to remain vigilant and to support our brothers and sisters at Saugeen,” he concluded. “There needs to be a much better and safer plan for the disposal or storage of this dangerous material.”

Letter attached in the PDF.