RE:      Science-based Research into the Deep Geological Repository for Nuclear Waste

The Bruce County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA) represents over 1500 farms and farm families in Bruce County. We are a farmer-led organization working to represent and champion the interests of farmers and farm communities.

As you are aware, in 2002 Canada directed the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) to study possible long-term used nuclear fuel management.  NWMO settled on a multi-decade project to develop a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) to hold Canada’s waste.  Site selection began in 2010 with 22 municipal and Indigenous communities interested in exploring the potential to host the project. The Township of Ignace in northwestern Ontario, and the Municipality of South Bruce in southern Ontario are the two remaining potential hosts.

Prior to Covid 19 a delegation of OFA members presented concerns to the BCFA board of directors about the potential development of a DGR in Bruce County.  As a follow up to this delegation, BCFA decided to gather information to help our membership make an informed decision regarding this extensive project.  With the onset of Covid 19, BCFA’s plans were hampered, and timelines extended, but we continued to move toward this goal.

BCFA moved forward and engaged consultants to research potential impacts of a repository. The quote received for this study was substantial, so BCFA felt it necessary to returned to the membership to gauge their support.  After surveying our membership, we found that the vast majority did not believe another survey would help them make an informed decision and furthermore they didn’t see the value in BCFA spending a significant amount of membership money to conduct a study.  In conclusion BCFA has decided to cancel the research project.

Sincerely,

Chris Cossitt

President BCFA