My tour of a nuclear waste dump.

As Co-coordinator of the Huron Grey Bruce Citizens Committee on Nuclear Waste I was invited by the Sr. Communications Advisor for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) to tour the Western Waste Management Facility at Bruce Power.  I eagerly accepted the offer and visited the site a while ago.

My first stop was at the Visitors’ Center at Bruce Power.  When you enter this building the first thing you see is a beautiful mural representing life in Bruce County.  Included in this mural are images depicting the First Nations influence, Scottish and marine heritage, natural resources and agricultural life of Bruce County.  But what I found curious and rather out-of-place in the upper right hand corner was the image of a nuclear power plant.  I understand that since the 60’s Bruce Power has been a major employer in the area, but it looked absurd set among all the beautiful images.  It reminded me of that game “what doesn’t belong here.”

The Visitors’ Center is an interesting place to visit.  It is filled with interactive displays about nuclear energy.  It also has a scaled down model of the Bruce Power/OPG site placed on a table by a window overlooking the entire location.  From there the view of Lake Huron is spectacular.

I was met by an official from the NWMO.  Next we were off to the Western Waste Management Facility.  But before we could proceed I needed a security pass.  What I saw next was unnerving.

Since 9/11 security has changed dramatically at Bruce Power.  One week before my visit I was asked to submit personal information such as my name, address and phone number.  At the gate we were met by guards in full paramilitary gear wearing bullet proof vests carrying automatic rifles.  These guards are referred to as SWAT teams.  They undergo specialized training and often compete in international competitions.  According to the US National SWAT championships website, in 2011 the Bruce Power SWAT team came first in competitions.  http://www.nationalswatchampionships.com/results.php

I got out of the car and went into the station.  I handed in my driver’s licence to be copied and was given a security pass.  While we were inside guards searched the van including the trunk.

We arrived at the Incinerator Facility and I was signed in again.  Security is extremely tight there which while comforting is at the same time disturbing.  I had been given instructions to wear natural fibres so that radon could not adhere to my clothing.  Then I was given a hard hat, safety glasses and they made sure I was not chewing gum or eating any candy.   Eating food is strictly prohibited in the facility and is a reportable offense because radiation can be transmitted on food.  Everyone carried a radiation level detector but me, however I was told stay close to the tour guide and hers’ would suffice.  At the end of each day they put the detectors in a shelf on the wall and they are monitored regularly.

Then we went through a radiation detector.  This is done upon entering and exiting every area.  It is a screen that you must stand close to and lay your hands on while being perfectly still for ten seconds.  You then turn around and repeat the process.  If it announces “clean!” you are then free to go to the next area.  This happens all day long as you move about the building.

According to the Western Waste Management Facility website, “OPG’s Western Waste Management Facility stores all the low and intermediate level radioactive waste from OPG-owned or operated reactors.  Low and intermediate level waste produced at Pickering, Darlington and the Bruce nuclear generating stations is transported by truck to the WWMF for interim storage.|”

So what is low and intermediate level radioactive waste?  Well from what I saw it could be just about anything.  If it entered a building and was in contact with radiation it had to be incinerated.  It could me a mop head, packaging from a piece of computer equipment, a gown, gloves, or any material.

Low level waste is received at the WWMF’s Waste Volume Reduction Building where it may be processed through incineration or compaction to reduce its volume. Following volume reduction, low level waste is placed in above ground concrete warehouse-like structures called Low Level Storage Buildings. Intermediate level waste, because of its radiological and physical properties, is not processed for volume reduction.

But low and intermediate waste comes here from Pickering and has for 40 years.  I was told that there has never been an incident transporting the nuclear waste in all these years.  That is an incredible safety record in my opinion.  That means that for 40 years every transport that has been made has been perfect.  They have had absolutely no problems.  No tires have blown.  The weather has been cooperative.  There has never been an incident of driver error.  Every vehicle has run perfectly on the roads for 40 years without one mechanical problem.  There has never been an incident where a truck has been involved in a multi vehicle accident.  This is remarkable.  I would like them to hire these drivers and use their vehicles to transport our children to school.  That would be a comfort to parents.

But back to the incinerator….We visited the incinerator control room.  The incinerator is completely computerized and there are safety checks built into the system to monitor the exhaust for toxins and radiation.

I was introduced to the incinerator operator that day but I am not sure he knew who I was representing.  He explained the operation of the computers to me then he started to tell me what he didn’t like about his job.  He explained that he used to work in Northern Ontario in the timber industry.  He could not understand why double checks are needed in the incinerator at NWMO.  As he said “I don’t think the taxpayers would be very happy if they knew how their money is being wasted.”  I said “Oh they want you to double check things for them.”  It was clear that this employee was not committed to the “safe, responsible management” of nuclear waste.  He either did not understand the dangers posed by the by-products of the incineration process or he just didn’t care.  Either way, if the double checks that are built into the system were not already there I wonder if this employee would do them himself?  I was surprised  that he made that statement in front of his supervisors as they were clearly uncomfortable with his words.

We finished up inside the incinerator building and then proceeded outside where I was invited to tour the Dry Storage Facility where the used nuclear fuel bundles are stored.  This is not a regular part of the WWMF tour, however I was anxious to see the building.

On the way to the Dry Storage Facility a few items of interest were pointed out to me.  Things that cannot be incinerated but that are low level waste are labelled and placed in secure containers.  They are stored in large warehouses on the site.  If these items are needed in the future they can be located due to the careful labelling system.

Intermediate level waste cannot be incinerated.  It is stored in steel lined concrete containers in the ground on site.  According to the WWMF website there is the equivalent of about 3 and half Olympic sized swimming pools of intermediate nuclear waste in storage.

When you walk around the site all the grounds are asphalt.  This is to limit the transfer of radiation indoors on mud and sand.  There is also a small vegetable test garden.  Staff grow beans, tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, carrots, beets, and cucumbers a part of an environmental monitoring program.  They are regularly tested for toxins and radiation to check the health of the incinerator.

Then we entered the Western Used Fuel Dry Storage Facility and that is where things became very serious.  Upon entry to the building you must empty your pockets and put your purse if you have one into a metal tray.  Everything is visually checked by SWAT personnel.   You then proceed through a metal detector.  Your security pass is taken and they give you a special security pass to enter the storage facility.  You must first do a full body radiation check.  Then you scan your security pass on the wall.

Once inside what you see is like something from the X Files.  I expected to have Mulder greet me, but he wasn’t there.  Neither was the Smoking Man.  But there were a lot of SWAT personnel.

I was given an explanation about how the bundles are stored.  The bundles are taken out of the reactor and cooled in water.  A container holding 384 used fuel bundles arrives at the facility.  It is then welded shut very securely (10 times).  This is all done under the security of armed guards.  The container is labelled and it is fit so that it is under constant surveillance by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) based in Vienna until they are placed into permanent storage.

There are thousands of these containers….as far as the eye can see.  The building isn’t heated but it is warm inside.  My tour guide asked me if I wanted to feel the outside of the container and I did.  It was warm to touch.

While in storage the IAEA or Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) perform random inspections of the DSC’s and associated records to ensure continuing compliance with the safeguard program standards.  There is a Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty in place and that is why every bundle must be accounted for at all times.  To read about the treaty check out this website. http://www.international.gc.ca/arms-armes/nuclear-nucleaire/npt-tnp.aspx?view=d

We left the facility and gathered up our security passes.  Then we drove past the building where the nuclear steam generators are being stored.  We had lunch and talked about the Deep Geologic Repository that is being considered.

When they took the core samples of the proposed site of the DGR they used an engineering firm that was ironically from my home town Capreol.  I viewed the core samples and they were amazing.  It is astonishing to see samples of the earth from so many kilometers beneath the surface and to know that they are ancient.  In spite of why they were taken I was impressed with the work.

My day was through and I thanked my tour guides.  I have lived here for many years and had no idea that this graveyard of nuclear waste was just down the road and so close to the lake that I love.

This nuclear dump poses many potential problems.  An extreme weather event or a technological accident could result in a catastrophe.   And this is in our backyard and has been for some time.  I was fortunate to have a firsthand view of it.   I realize that many of our fellow citizens make their living producing the energy that creates this toxic by product.  But this is a fact.  And we must deal with it.

Citizens are complaining about a wind turbine at the CAW centre outside of Port Elgin and the local board of education is contemplating commissioning a health study about the effects of wind turbines.  Yet a heap of toxic waste gets bigger by the day at a nuclear generating station down the shoreline and is putting the community and the environment at risk.  This is far more dangerous than any wind turbine is and ever will be.

I appreciate the people that are dedicated to watching over this facility and storing these dangerous materials.  But we must stop making it. It is simply too dangerous to people and to the environment.  We have to find a better way to produce energy.  There are many creative people working in the nuclear industry.   They should be able to find green alternatives.  In the meantime, the toxic nuclear waste just keeps piling up.

The answer is simple really….love one another….have faith…. and be a good friend.

Yesterday I heard the news that a childhood friend of mine, Berto had died.  I hadn’t seen him for about ten years, but I knew him very well when I was a young girl.  My mother still keeps in close contact with his parents Anna and Angelo.

I grew up in the small Northern Ontario town of Capreol.  Berto lived across the street from me.  Most of the men in town worked for the CNR but some worked for a small iron ore mine north of the town.  My neighbourhood was a mix of people of  European ethnicities.  Many people had come to Canada and settled in the north to work on the railroad or in the mines.  They were first or second generation immigrants raising their families and working very hard doing so.

Ours was an interesting and very enriched childhood  I was surrounded by Italian, Portuguese, Irish and Eastern European families.  Many of us didn’t have extended family in the area, so we nurtured connections within the community with friends and neighbours.  Churches, schools and recreation played a vital role in the town.

Neighbours were very familiar with each other.  The children grew up together and went to school together, played together and socialized together.

Our parents worked together and the stress of northern living was shared together.  Weather was harsh.  The work was hard and the isolation from extended family was difficult for the stay at home mothers.  The women became very close.

That is how it was for the women in my neighbourhood.  My mother and Berto’s mother were very good friends.  They are both in their 80′s now .  They raised their young families together and I imagine that they have shared some interesting times.

We all went to the Roman Catholic church and worshiped together.  My mother and Anna share that aspect of their friendship….their deep faith.

I remember being in awe of Berto’s family.  His mother and father are very proud of their Italian heritage.  They decorate their home and entertain in typical Italian style.  But not only that, they are generous and kind.   Anna is stunningly beautiful even to this day.  In her younger days she had long black hair that she wore in a fashionable up do and she always reminded me of Sophia Loren.

.But most of all Anna and Angelo had a handsome son Berto (whom I only found out yesterday was really named Umberto).  He had a smile that could melt your heart and was always a gentleman.  Anna and Anglelo were so proud of him and they loved him very much, as they do all their children.  For this couple, family is everything.

Berto met a beautiful young woman named Debbie and he married her and started a family of his own.  From all accounts he followed in his father’s footsteps.  He was a terrific husband, father and grandfather and made his parents proud.

I spoke to my mother this morning on the telephone.  She had just had a chat with her dear friend Anna.  Mom sounded so sad.  Anna spoke to my mother about how she is anxious to see her at Berto’s visitation and funeral.  Of course my sister and I will go with my mother (if my health allows).  Ironically my brother cannot attend because he is working in Rome, a place that Anna and Angelo enjoy visiting because of their love of the Vatican.

All of this has me thinking about friendships and motherhood.  My mother and Anna will see each other in the next few days.  They have been friends for over 50 years.  Yet what I remember are the  2 beautiful young women who worked so hard to make a good life for the seven children that they raised in Capreol.  They did their best.  It was hard.   I would like to think that we have all done our best to make them proud.  Berto did and we will honor him this week.

Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.

John Michael Talbot

RIP Berto.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Thy mercy.

How to fight Goliath and win….for now.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything here.  I am still busy with social and environmental causes, however as a single mother my family has been the priority over the past few months.  Having said that there are several exciting things on the environmental front that I’d like to share.

On February 3, 2012 the transport licence application for the steam generators expired.  That means that if Bruce Power wants to move forward with the nuclear steam generator transport and recycling project it must reapply for another transport licence.  As Maude Barlow stated ” “This is an opportunity for the CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission) to begin a needed shift in Great Lakes governance by genuinely listening to public input and consulting with First Nations.”.

http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3460442

Of course this doesn’t mean that Bruce Power won’t apply for another licence.  But for now the radioactive steam generators remain tucked away in their tombs and stored in a nondescript warehouse near Kincardine.  And that is where they can stay for now.

I recall the first time I heard about this project.  I thought, “this can’t be real.  City Council won’t let them do this.”  Then as time went on I realized that City Council was going to let Bruce Power go ahead and it would likely happen if residents didn’t speak up.

I had recently moved to Owen Sound from Sauble Beach and I was happy not to worry about water issues.  While living in Sauble Beach my home was serviced by a municipal well.  During the days of the Walkerton Water Inquiry our water and the water to about 25 homes became contaminated with ecoli (different strain as in Walkerton).  Some children and adults became ill).  We were forced to boil our water for over 9 months.  It was a very difficult time.  I spearheaded a group of residents and we fought with municipal, health unit (Dr. Hazel Lynn) and Henderson Paddon officials to correct the problem.  Eventually the water system was repaired but it cost a lot of money and residents’ health.

What I learned during my experience in Sauble Beach was that residents need to mobilize early when faced with serious problems.  They need to be assertive, ask questions, find allies, and document, document, document.

That is exactly what we did in Owen Sound.  We contacted environmental groups and any groups we felt would have an interest in protecting the health of the Great Lakes.  We formed a group and named it CARGOS (Citizens Against Radioactive Generators In Owen Sound).  These groups mobilized and together we worked to get Public Hearings at the CNSC.  I asked for standing as an intervenor and was accepted.

I travelled to Ottawa and made my presentation to the panel.  Mayor Lovell Stanners and Dr. Stanners were there.  Mayor Lovell Stanners presented also.  She was terrific and represented Owen Sound welI.  We should be forever grateful to Mayor Lovell Stanners and Dr. Stanners for their support.  I was disappointed when she was defeated in the municipal election as she had taken a political risk opposing Bruce Power.  But she did the right thing for the city, the residents and the Great Lakes and she should be very proud.

At one point I was contacted by the Provincial Liaison Team of the OPP.  It was a random Tuesday night at a Tim Horton’s in Owen Sound. They wanted to talk to me about “peaceful protest” and assured me that I wasn’t on a “no fly list”.  Good to know if I can ever afford to go on a trip.

Yesterday I had a tour of the Western Waste Management Facility at Bruce Power.  (I’ll talk about that in another post) I saw the storage facility where the nuclear steam generators are stored.   Who could have predicted that I would be driving by them the very day the deadline passed?  What irony!  As we passed by I couldn’t hold back.  I said to my tour guide, “They won’t be going anywhere soon.”  Of course my comment was ignored.

A battle has been won.  David is triumphant for now.  I feel like I have kicked ass in fabulous black patent Doc Martens.

DR. MACNAY… PART OF BRUCE PENINSULA MEDICAL HISTORY

On May 24, 2011 the Bruce Peninsula lost one of its’ finest medical practitioners.  Dr. Ken MacNay succumbed to a long term illness surrounded by his family in his 74th year.  Dr. Mac as he was known by many had moved to Wiarton in 1966 and he is truly a part of Bruce Peninsula history.

The last time I spoke to Dr. MacNay was in the winter of 2010.  I asked him if I could write a story about he and Arlene’s life on the Bruce Peninsula.  Being the private people they are he was hesitant to do so and I honored that.  However I feel that some sort of tribute is appropriate at this time.  I am going to honor Dr. Mac’s wishes.  This is a simple tribute from those who knew him best and I will respect his privacy.

According to his Sun Times obituary,  Dr. Mac graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1963.  After an internship in Vancouver he spent 2 years in Inuvik, NWT and then moved to Wiarton with his wife Arlene.

Dr. Mac had a thriving practice in Wiarton from the time he arrived until 2010 when illness forced him to retire.  During that time he saw many changes in the practice of medicine.  As Dr. J VanDorp said in the eulogy at Dr. Mac’s memorial service “the demographic inexorably shifted…shore lots that could not be given away 75 years ago escalated in value.  They became thickly seeded with cottages, and many of those were peopled with retirees….As Mac used to say, ‘the ground is moving under our feet.’”  But Dr. Mac always adapted to change with grace and humour whether it was demographics, new facilities or the introduction of computers.

Sandy Thompson is the Registered Nurse who worked for Dr. MacNay  starting in 1969.  She began her employ with him in what is commonly referred to as the “old hospital” in Wiarton.  Thompson describes Dr. Mac as “always a gentleman who was never out of sorts.”  She says he was “never cross with anyone.”  In her opinion there are not enough superlatives to describe him.  She recalls fondly that on snowy nights he would clear off her car for her, even after he got sick.  Thompson says it was a privilege to have worked for Dr. MacNay.

When asked what Dr. Mac’s favourite area of medicine was, Thompson replied “obstetrics”.  She said that there was nothing he loved more than bringing a new life into the world.  She is not sure how many deliveries he performed but she knows that he was delivering second generations of babies.

Sheila Bray started working for Dr. MacNay for 2 weeks in grade 12.  He then hired her when school ended.  She took a 1 year accounting course at Georgian College and worked at the office also.  Dr. MacNay’s philosophy was that you had to “get in there and do the work to learn it.”

Bray recalls “so many good times at work with Dr. MacNay.”  She  says that he was like family.  He allowed her to bring her children into the office if needed.  Bray also recalls the patience and time that Dr. MacNay took with his patients.  He did not rush things and as such patients did not mind waiting to see him if the appointment was late.  And she says he loved a good snowstorm.  She says she’d describe him as a “gentle gentleman.”  Both Thompson and Bray will miss Dr. MacNay very much.

I first met Dr. MacNay in 1985 when I began working at the Wiarton Hospital as a Registered Nurse.  I was impressed with his calm and gentle approach to medicine. I was also surprised at his middle of the night visits to see patients that he was concerned about. 

One night at around 2:00 am I answered the phone.  It was Dr. MacNay.  He said, “Oh hi Sharen.  What do you think of this?”  The next thing I heard was the loud sound of bagpipes in my ears.  Now I’m not a bagpipe aficioanodo, so I would not know if it was good or bad.  I said, ”Oh that sounds good.”  and he said “Thanks.  I thought so.”  It wasn’t long before Dr. MacNay became one of the McLaren’s Pipes and Drums.

The MacNay family is an artistic one.  Mrs. MacNay is a painter and her work was often on display in the office.  She also plays piano and both she and Dr. MacNay sang  in the Community Choir.  They and their children have many musical pursuits.

Dr. MacNay was also a conservationist and a pilot.  The list of his talents and his passions just goes on.  But his strongest passion was for his family.  He dearly loved his children Ramsay ( Karen), Sterling (Agnes), and Regan.  He had grandchildren he adored…Emeline, Cedric, Chloe, Sophie and Molly.  And Arlene was the love of his life.  I’d like to say at this time that we thank you for allowing us to have time with Dr. MacNay.  I’m sure that there were many times he left family dinners, parties and holidays to be with patients.  That is time he wasn’t with you.  You were very gracious in sharing your father , grandfather, and husband with us.  He was a very special person and we will all miss him.  But the world is a much better place because he was here, took care of us, entertained us and made us smile.

Sharin’ With Sharen

 by Sharen Skelly

Owen Sound Sun Times

July 22, 2011

Dr. Ken MacNay, may he Rest In Peace

Wiarton Hospital circa 1960

Community makes Earth Day a success

On April 22 a group of residents gathered at the Owen Sound legion to celebrate Earth Day. This event was hosted by CARGOS, a group of residents against radioactive generators in Owen Sound, although it was not political in nature.

It started at around noon and ended at 4 p.m. That morning a group of residents had participated in a downtown clean up organized by Tracy Buckton of Buzz Inkbee and the Green Taxi donated free rides to the legion for those who wanted to take part in the celebrations there.

Members of the Youth Theatre Coalition, accompanied by Micheala Morris, started things off with the national anthem. Piyak Ootihi performed a traditional First Nation’s water blessing ceremony.

Richard-Yves Sitoski gave a memorable slam poetry performance of some original work that he created for Earth Day.

Ziggy Kleinau, a long-time environmentalist, delivered some inspiring words about taking care of the Earth and energy conservation. Then there was entertainment by Kyler Kwenzie and Brock and Bryndan Boomstra.

Grade 9 student Julia Grein brought her award-winning science fair project, “How Does Your Garden Grow,” from John Deifenbaker Secondary School for folks to see.

Tablecloths were decorated by the children at the YMCA day-care.

Merchants who made the day a success by donating to the event inlcuded Shoppers Drug Mart (downtown location), Foodland grocery store, Rexall drug store (9th Ave. E. location), Metro grocery store, Zehrs Grocery Store, National Grocers, McDonald’s 10th St. location Anne Finlay-Stewart and Fulford’s Hardware.

Many thanks to Kay Cumbow of Michigan for the donation of the Earth Day flag, Kelly Ross for the terrific photos, Lori Ross and Richard-Yves Sitoski for the organizing and planning and to Chrystelle Owens for helping out with the set up and clean up.

Once again a special thank you to the Owen Sound legion for a terrific venue.

Earth Day is an important day to recognize because we need to remember that the earth, air and water are not ours to treat as we please.

We are the stewards of these resources and, as such, need to remember that governments and corporations do not always have the best interests of the environment in mind.

We need to be vigilant and question whether the decisions they make are the best ones.

Reduce, reuse and recycle and set good examples for your children. We may not have the solutions to our energy problems right now, but conservation is a good start and everyone can play a part in that.

We also need to have respectful discussions about green energy alternatives. There are alternatives if we listen to each other.

Every day should be Earth Day.

Sharen Skelly and Ziggy Kleinau

My presentation to the Panel at the Darlington Hearings. April 6, 2011.

On April 6, 2011 I gave a presentation to the Panel at the Darlington hearings in Courtice Ontario.  I had been contacted in February by a group of concerned citizens that had heard about CARGOS.  They wanted me to speak about our experience in Owen Sound and so I agreed to prepare a statement.

When I sent in the first copy of my oral presentation the Standing Committee had not met in Ottawa.  The Canadian Environmental Law Association and the Sierra Club had not filed a law suit against Bruce Power.  Duncan Hawthorne had not announced that the shipment of the steam generators would be put on hold until further discussions were held with First Nations and other groups.

I decided to revise my submission a week before I went to Courtice, so the documents that are online are not the same as what I have written here and what I ultimately said at Darlington.

“Ladies and Gentlemen

Members of the Panel

My  name is Sharen Skelly.  I am a resident of Owen Sound and Spokesperson for CARGOS (Citizens Against Radioactive Generators in Owen Sound)  Today I am not here representing CARGOS.  I’m speaking on my own behalf.

I am here to say that I am not in favour of the expansion of this generating station.

Since I sent in my initial submission things have changed in Owen Sound and at Bruce Power.  There have been Standing Hearings at the House of Commons and a law suit has been announced.

I am not a nuclear scientist.  I am a retired registered nurse.  But foremost I am a concerned citizen who became an environmental activist out of necessity.

I have learned that when citizens ask well informed questions they are considered a threat.  We’ve been called fearmongerers and quacks.  Those are direct quotes from the Bruce Power media machine.

In 2009 I sold my home in Sauble Beach and moved to Owen Sound.  I’d had enough with wells and septic systems.  I wanted to turn on the tap and expect clean water. Then one day I heard through the media that Bruce Power was planning to ship 16 decommissioned nuclear steam generators to Owen Sound harbour, through the Great Lakes and then on to Sweden for recycling then shipping more nuclear garbage back to Bruce Power to be stored.

I thought, that doesn’t sound good.  The city won’t be onside with this.  But I was wrong.

I started asking questions as did a few others in the community.  Had there been community consultation about this plan?  What was City Council’s stand on the issue?  What had City Council done to stop it?

Here are the answers to the questions.  There had been NO community consultation at all.  We simply heard about it in the media and in the City Council minutes online.  It was by chance.

City Council’s stand on the issue was complacency.  They stood by the information that Bruce Power, Dr. Hazel Lynn the Medical Office of Health and the CNSC had given them.  According to Council, this precedent setting project is perfectly safe.

I started the citizen’s group called CARGOS.  We met, started petitions, asked questions, liaised with other environmental groups, challenged Bruce Power and pressed for public hearings.  As a result of that I was deserving of a visit by the OPP provincial liaison team.  They thought I should know all about peaceful protest. Funny….I hadn’t even considered a protest until their visit!  But I was reassured that I am not on a “no fly list”.

We decided we would try to get the shipment stalled by getting City Council to refuse Bruce Power a heavy load permit.  We asked Council to deny this permit. Ultimately Bruce Power’s lawyer informed City Council that they never needed that permit. Council was also informed that any city challenges would be appealed and that the City did not have enough money for an expensive legal battle.

Public hearings were held in Ottawa at the CNSC.  I heard a lot of “misinformation” as Bruce Power calls it.  The OPP officers from the provincial liaison team were there.

Then the Federal Government called for Standing House Committee on Natural Resources hearings.  These looked at the issue of transportation of nuclear garbage. I asked for a place on the agenda but was refused.  The only local Grey/Bruce voices they heard were in favour of Bruce Power’s project. Democracy in action!

The Sierra Club and the Canadian Environmental Law Association have launched a lawsuit against Bruce Power claiming that Bruce Power should have done an Environmental Assessment as they are obligated to do.

Bruce Power now says they want to do more consultation with the public…especially First Nations groups before going ahead.

I believe that the expansion at Darlington should not take place for these reasons. Nuclear power creates nuclear garbage and this garbage is dangerous.  It has to be disposed of but no one wants it.  The facilities that generate the garbage don’t even want it.  They say it’s too expensive to store yet they either 1)  bully communities where they want this waste stored and shipped to, or 2)  entice communities in financial crises with incentives to take the garbage.  This is very appealing for their survival.

Communities where these generating stations are located are generally in favour of nuclear power.  The jobs at these plants are well-paying and the generating stations are generous corporate citizens for a good reason.  When you want to get rid of this garbage or when your workers are at risk due to a “leak” or an “accident”  you want to be in good standing.  It just makes good business sense.  They cannot be trusted to make good decisions on the residents’ behalf.  Case in point Bruce Power and the steam generator fiasco.

Nuclear energy facilities and their waste management and expansion and reporting of accidents are far too complicated issues for municipal governments to handle. Owen Sound City Council is in favour of Bruce Power’s project.  The Mayor sees no problem with the proposal.   The Council is going to tour the generating station at Bruce Power’s invitation.  Meanwhile Mayors of other Great Lake cities, the Province of Quebec, cities in the US, the First Nations communities, environmental groups…and the list goes on, are not in favour of the project.  There was no consultation with the residents of Owen Sound.  And if there had been the results could be that they are in favour of the project, but look at the demographics.  Bruce Power is a major employer and stimulates the economy of the area.  That and the charitable donations alone that Bruce Power makes on a regular basis would influence opinions.

The Medical Office of Health may make recommendations but is not an expert on all things nuclear and in some cases does not cooperate with the public.  For example, Andrea Horwath NDP requested copies of the Risk Assessments that Dr. Hazel Lynn had done.  This request was done through the Privacy Commissioner.  To date I believe that they have not been received.  This is not acceptable.   I’ve seen what Dr. Lynn sent and they are not risk assessments that she has done or had commissioned to be done.

I recommend that governments both at provincial and federal levels create a citizens panel to make recommendations about the disposal of nuclear garbage. This panel can also be included in discussions about expansion and building any new plants and handling of incidents at these plants.  They should not be CEO’s, union members, or employees of the generating stations and not act in simply an advisory capacity.

Enough of the bullying and influence of these giants making important decisions for the public.  This is tearing apart communities and causing great harm with no consideration for the health of residents and the environment.  The only consideration is the bottom dollar.

There are alternative sources of energy.  We don’t need any more nuclear and we certainly don’t need to expand the existing nuclear generating stations.

I also believe that concerned citizens should not be viewed as suspects under the law and as such their privacy should not be violated.  Visits by police for being concerned and challenging corporations and government is archaic, undemocratic and a violation of human rights at best.

Thank you for your time.”

Ironically, when I arrived at Courtice 5 police officers greeted me at the venue.  3 were in uniform and 2 were plain clothed.  I asked one plain clothed officer if  he was from the liaison unit in London (these are the police that handled the G20, events in Caledonia and visited me) and he said he wasn’t but if he was he didn’t have to tell me.  He was not pleased with me and I could tell that by the tone in his voice.  I told him that he did  have to tell me and he responded with “yes I guess I do. You’re right.” and he walked away.  Democracy…isn’t it great?

Peace

Greenpeace history in Owen Sound!

On March 21, 2011 Emma Lui, National Water Campaigner and Mark Calzavara, Regional Organizer for the Council of Canadians visited the Grey Bruce area.  David Walton, the Local Representative and I joined them to discuss issues most notably Bruce Power’s proposal to transport the steam generators through Owen Sound’s harbour.

We walked down to the harbour so that Mark and Emma could familiarize themselves with the place that the generators could potentially be shipped from.  We were talking when Mark pointed at a vessel called the Algomarine that is anchored by the grain elevators.  He said with great enthusiasm that this particular carrier had been the object of a Greenpeace protest campaign at Nanticoke.  Of course I had to know more about this.  So I took a few pictures of the ship and we headed to a coffee shop for an interview.

According to Calzavara who formerly worked with Greenpeace, the organization brought their ship Arctic Sunrise in for this particular mission.  The goal was to focus attention on the coal powered plant in Nanticoke located on Lake Erie, which happens to be the largest in North America.  Dalton McGuinty had promised to close the plant by 2014.

On August 29th, 2007, 3 protesters took off from the Arctic Sunrise and boarded the bulk carrier Algomarine which was carrying 30,000 tonnes of coal.  Other protesters in dinghys painted the side of the vessel with the slogans “No Coal.  No Nuclear.  Clean Energy.”

The occupation of the Algomarine caused a significant delay in the coal delivery. The 3 protesters were eventually arrested by the OPP and charged with mischief.

Calzavara says “although this was a temporary action it did bring attention to the issue.  This is the philosophy of Greenpeace, that actions speak louder than words.”

I began my day, eagerly anticipating my meeting with the members of the Council of Canadians.  Little did I know that I would learn that Greenpeace history is sitting in Owen Sound harbour….oh the irony right now:)

http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/251941

http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/251452

Courtesy Greenpeace Canada

Algomarine as seen today in Owen Sound harbour.

Council of Canadians visit Owen Sound.

On March 21, 2011 Emma Lui and Mark Calzavara from the Council of Canadians paid a visit to Grey Bruce.  Emma hails from Ottawa and is the National Water Campaigner.  Mark is from Toronto and is the Regional Organizer.  I first met Emma in Ottawa in September 2010 when we attended the CNSC hearings.  We also “meet” regularly by email and conference call.

While here they drove to the Bruce Power Generating Station and followed the proposed transport route that the trucks will take to bring the steam generators to Owen Sound harbour.

I then met them at a local coffee shop and we were joined by David Walton the local Council of Canadians representative.  We talked about World Water Day which was the next day, March 22. Conversation soon turned to the steam generator issue which we were all concerned about and involved with.  It was agreed that the community of Owen Sound needs to be more engaged in the campaign to stop the transport of the steam generators.  Owen Sound has much to offer such as Summerfolk, Otherfolk, a winning hockey team and a community college.   However it appears that it may be the youth and First Nations who are the most interested and concerned.  That makes sense, because it is their future and resources we are gambling with.

We also talked about the OPP liaison team that had been in touch with us and how “privacy” is really just an illusion.

The group also discussed the upcoming Darlington hearings which I am presenting at in early April and of course the current events in Japan.

Then we left the coffee shop and headed down to the harbour to see where the steam generators would be loaded onto the cargo ship if the project is given the seal of approval.

It was a windy and very cold March day as we walked quickly through downtown. Since I often have out-of-town visitors I have a “pitch” about how great Owen Sound is, because let’s face it…Owen Sound is great!  I pointed out that our downtown is truly a destination for people to shop, do business and have a meal or a cup of coffee. This was evident by the amount of traffic.

I also noted that the Owen Sound Attack were doing well this year.  This was obvious by the “GO ATTACK!” signs in the store front windows.  David noted the flower boxes on the bridge and told Emma how beautiful the flowers are when they are in full bloom in the summer.

Then we walked past the Chi Cheemaun.  I told Mark and Emma how important the ferry is to the area and what a trip on “The Big Canoe” is like.  Of course I encouraged them to take a ferry ride some day.

We took some photos and video down by the water and while there we discussed the new Family Health Clinic that is under construction.

We then headed to a coffee shop and warmed up.  Emma and Mark said goodbye but before leaving Owen Sound they drove by our water treatment plant.  The planned loading site for the generators is too close to the water treatment plant to guarantee the safety of our drinking water as documented by many experts.

Emma is off to Europe soon to meet with the Nuclear Free Local Authorities in Brussels. On behalf of the Council of Canadians she asks everyone to write to the Ontario Ministers of Energy, Environment and Transportation.  Here is the link to the Action Alert she is speaking about.

http://canadians.org/action/2011/great-lakes.html

Our guests were impressed by the city.  Owen Sound IS a place I want to live.  But it ISN’T a place I want to become known as nuclear garbage depot.  That is what it will be if the Bruce Power steam generator project proceeds.

I enjoyed the day with these young people.  They are intelligent and motivated.  It is refreshing to see them work.  Their agenda is simply to do the right thing for the environment and the people they serve.  They are inspiring and it’s an honour to know them.

http://www.98thebeach.ca/news_item.php?NewsID=33436

Down by the harbour

Magnificent Maggie!

Maggie Holmes is a 50-year-old woman from Meaford Ontario.  Over 5 years ago her son Ryan committed suicide after a long struggle with mental illness.  She wanted to do something constructive with her grief.  On March 26th Maggie and her friend Mary Tatham will climb to the Base Camp of Mount Everest in honor of Ryan. Holmes has been training for a year and she is the most physically fit woman I know.

She’s doing this to raise money for the Canadian Mental Health Association, but she’s also raising awareness about youth mental health and the lack of services available.

Last evening Maggie, her family, friends and the community cheered as she announced that not only had she reached her fundraising limit of $29,035 but she had surpassed it! In addition, Holmes has been successful at accomplishing her other goals before taking one step on her journey.

At every event that she attends or hosts, with every article written, with every radio ad about her trip people are learning about youth mental health issues.  And they ARE talking about it.  In doing so, Ryan and all the other young people who have struggled with mental illness and still do are not forgotten. With every step Maggie takes on her upcoming journey she will remember Ryan and we will be thinking about her back home.

If you would like to read more about the Climbing to Conquer project or about Maggie and Ryan Holmes please go to climbingtoconquer.com

Safe travels Maggie and Mary.  Peace.

Remembering my father.

My father died suddenly on January 22, 1993.  He was only 67 but his spirit lives on in the way that I chose to live my life and raise my children.

“Bobby” as he was fondly known by many, was raised in the Ottawa Valley and he was proud of those roots. As a young man he moved to Capreol in Northern Ontario, where he had a long career as a CNR locomotive engineer.  That is where we were raised….in Northern Ontario.

My father was a trade unionist.  I saw him walk the picket line more than once and later as a Registered Nurse in Alberta I experienced what it would be like to do so myself.

He was also a great debater.  Dad taught us the art hold a an argument, by listening and respecting the other party.  That skill is disappearing rapidly.

Bobby was ahead of his time when it came to tolerance of others.  It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from. Gender, politics, religion, sexuality, money…none of that was important.  Everyone was welcome in our house and it remained that way until the day my father died.

Dad was also an environmentalist.  The family has a farm in the Ottawa Valley. My dad and his father taught us to be stewards of the environment. During the early 80′s my father took the horse stable from the now over 100-year-old log farm and had it moved to a waterfront lot.  It was reconstructed into our family cottage.  The interior doors are made from the wood that was cleared from that lot to make way for the structure.

After my dad retired due to health reasons he became a municipal council member for the Township of South Algona.  He was instrumental in having recycling implemented at the landfill site.  We were proud of his efforts.  Dad  was a man dedicated to reducing, reusing and recycling.

My parents are both of Irish descent and we always enjoyed St. Patrick’s day.  So it is only appropriate that on a day that honors all things green I remember my dad.

Bobby would be proud of my efforts over the years to do the right thing for the environment.  He would also be pleased to know that the tolerance had for others carries on with his children and grandchildren.

My dad is my inspiration.  I miss him.