Dear Editor
Saskatchewan people do not want to store Ontario's nuclear waste in northern Saskatchewan. Most people are signing a petition that I am circulating. So why do we not have a legislated ban on nuclear waste as Manitoba and Quebec have? Our premier has stated it seems Saskatchewan citizens do not want nuclear waste, yet he has not presented legislation to ban waste. The NDP have passed a resolution to ban nuclear waste, but the leadership have failed to push the issue. We have to push the politicians off the fence once and for all.
Until a ban is in place, the nuclear industry continues to push northern communities to accept waste. Pinehouse, English River First Nation and Creighton are possible sites. The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations has accepted $1 million of nuclear industry money to "educate and inform" northern communities using only the one sided industry viewpoint. The Metis Nation has also accepted money. This makes a mockery of the duty to have meaningful consultation with northern communities.
So why is the nuclear industry resorting to such tactics? If storing nuclear waste is so safe and creates so many local jobs, why aren't Ontario communities tripping over each other for the opportunity? The truth is that Saskatchewan is the nuclear industry's last resort. Almost any Ontario community that has shown an interest has voted out their council. They have to get a site here by any means.
Some northerners are fighting back. A group is walking from Pinehouse to Regina to present a petition calling for a ban. A 746 kilometres hike, that's dedication. Help them by signing or circulating a petition, mailing and e-mailing Premier Wall and Dwain Lingenfelter or joining the walk. This is our fight too. Those 18,000 truckloads of dangerous nuclear waste have to go over many roads.
A ban can be achieved, just a little push and shove.
Mike Bray
Indian Head
