Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Waterkeeper submits comments on two Regulatory Oversight Reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
On November 16, Waterkeeper submitted two reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) which will be considered by Commission Members as part of their annual Regulatory Oversight Report (ROR) meeting in December.
Waterkeeper's comments for the Nuclear Safety Commission's BWXT relicensing hearing
BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada (BWXT) operates nuclear processing facilities in Toronto and Peterborough. They supply fuel pellets for the Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Generating Stations. BWXT’s licence is set to expire later in 2020, and Waterkeeper prepared a report to help ensure any new licence issued by the CNSC Commission promotes the swimmability, drinkability, and fishability of the Lake Ontario watershed. We’ve posted a summary of our comments and the original submissions here.
Waterkeeper's formal submission regarding relicensing hearings for Deloro Mine Site
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is currently applying to renew its Waste Nuclear Substance Licence for the Deloro site until 2022. Read full submission from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper regarding the relicensing, including conclusions and recommendations.
Waterkeeper's presentation at the Port Hope Area Iniative (PHAI) hearing
On November 10, 2016, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper presented at the hearing for the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI). Pippa Feinstein and Wilf Ruland represented Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and made oral presentations to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This is what we presented.
Waterkeeper's presentation at the Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF) hearing
On November 9, 2016, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper presented at the hearing for Cameco's conversion facility in Port Hope. Pippa Feinstein and Wilf Ruland represented Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and made oral presentations to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This is what we presented.
What you need to know about the Port Hope Area radioactive waste cleanup
The Port Hope Area Initiative is the largest environmental cleanup effort in Canadian history. Ottawa is spending $1.28-billion to contain 1.7-million cubic metres (m³) of low-level radioactive waste in Port Hope and Port Granby. But why does the project cost so much money? Just how much waste is 1.7-million m³? Where did all this waste come from? Where is it going? The answers to those questions start back in 1932.
Reviewing Lake Ontario’s ailing radioactive wounds in Port Hope: PHAI and Cameco’s Conversion Facility
Waterkeeper submitted comments on the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) and Cameco’s Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF) to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Waterkeeper will participate in the public hearing for both projects next month in Port Hope. While some progress has been made to ensure the initiative supports a more swimmable, drinkable, and fishable Lake Ontario, more work is still needed.
The fix is on: federal government launches review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act after law gutted in 2012
The worst year in the history of Canadian environmental protection was 2012. That year, the federal government gutted every major environmental law. The Fisheries Act no longer protected most fish or fish habitat. The Navigable Waters Protection Act no longer protected “water.” And the process by which major projects are reviewed was slashed. Today, Waterkeeper Mark Mattson sent a short submission to the Government of Canada endorsing the launch of new process to review environmental decision-making. Here is his submission.
Leadership from City of Toronto can ensure Pickering Nuclear Generating Station closes in 2018, as planned
The Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is over forty years old. It is fast approaching the end of its operational life, 2018. Ontario Power Generation wants to keep the station open longer, until 2024. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper supports the motion asking the City of Toronto to support the 2018 closure date. And here, Mark explains why.
Ontario’s ever growing heap of high-level nuclear waste
Ontario has a growing amount of extremely radioactive waste. And the plans for Pickering, Darlington, and Bruce will mean more waste will continue to accumulate on our freshwater shores for decades to come. In a time when there is more promotion for nuclear because it's “green,” why isn’t Canada’s nuclear waste problem discussed more often; by government, the regulator, or the media?