Algonquin chiefs disappointed but unsurprised by radioactive dump approval

Some Algonquin leaders are looking atlegal action after a highly contested radioactive waste site near the Ottawa River was approved.

This week the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commissionapproved Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) proposal to build an engineered mound or "near surface disposal facility"close to the company's nearly 80-year-old Chalk River site upstream from Ottawa and Montreal.

The site, like all of the broader Ottawa area, isunceded Algonquin territory andthe facility would be about a kilometre from the river,an important Algonquin waterway for thousands of years.

The decisionalso determined that CNL had adequately consulted and accommodated Indigenous groups throughout the process.

Chief Lance Haymond of Kebaowek First Nation disagrees.

"We got brought into the process way too late after many studies and decisions had already been taken," he said.

CNL notified the commission of its intention to make this applicationin October2015 and sent it in March 2017.

Between that, the commission put out a notice of its environmental assessment and started reaching outto Algonquin and other Anishinaabecommunities, plus theMtis Nation of Ontario,in May 2016 by sending letters.

The commission heldpublic hearings in2022and afinal submission hearing this pastAugust.

• Proposed radioactive waste dump in Deep River met with opposition at final hearing

Ten of the 11 federally recognized Algonquin communities, including Haymond's, have fiercely objected to this proposal from the onset, citing concerns about water contamination, encroachment on sacred territory and wildlife.

Approval came as a blow, but not a shock.

"Very, very, very disappointed," Haymond said,"but really, quite honestly, not surprised."

"They always knew they wanted to do thisand they were going to do it with or without us," said Chief Dylan Whiteduck of Kitigan Zibi AnishinbegFirst Nation.

Potential negative environmental impacts

According to a project description, the sitewould include containment cells, a base liner and coverand a system to detect leaks of its"low-level radioactive waste."

CNLmade the case that a permanent facility offers better protection of the waste it legally has to do something with compared to temporary storage and that because 90 per cent of the waste is at Chalk River, it should staythere.

The facility is on a sloped rock ledge where water flows away from the river andis above itsmaximum flood level, the commissionsaid, andits wastewater network is designed to handle "back-to-back, 100-year, 24-hour storm events."

The commission wrote that the waste disposal site "is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects" (and is not technically a '"dump" because of the containment layers).

• Radioactive waste dump at Chalk River gets green light to start construction

The chiefs are not convinced.

"We are very fearful that in 10, 15, 20 years, this project will continue to pose a risk and a danger to my members and in general to all Canadians who use and depend on the Ottawa River as their drinking water source," Haymond said.

"We're just worried about the impacts of this, the longevity of this project," said Whiteduck. "It just feels too rushed."

Both Haymond and Whiteduck said they are exploring all of theirlegal options at this time, including a judicial review.

Concerns overlack of local supports

Gordon Edwards, president of the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility (CCNR), was consulted about the proposal.

Along with the site beingclose to the river, Edwards also takes issue with the lack of consent from Indigenous groups and municipalities thatuse the river.

We are the ones, our grandchildren and great grandchildren. They're the ones who are going to suffer the consequences if things are done poorly- Gordon Edwards, CCNR

"It seems that the decision to approve this dump has been made largely to service the needs of the industry and the wishes of the industry, not the wishes of the Canadian people." he said.

• Algonquin chief accuses regulator of bias on proposed nuclear waste site

It's not the industry thatcould face long-term negative impacts, Edwards said, but the general population.

"We are the ones, our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They're the ones who are going to suffer the consequences if things are done poorly."

CNL'songoing commitments

CNL said it intends to meet all the commitments that it made to the Indigenous groups consulted, and "continue to offer them an opportunity to be involved in the project in the manner that they choose to do so."

The Algonquins of Pikwakanagangaveconsentand entereda formal partnershipwithCNL, which said there will be regular Pikwakanaganmonitoring at designated sites.

It's not clearyet when shovels will be in the ground, but the facility is expected to take about three years to construct.

All in a Day9:01Concerned chief, citizen's group on Chalk River decision

Yesterday, we heard from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories about getting approval to build a radioactive waste disposal facility in Chalk River. Today, we'll hear how groups who've been concerned about the project are reacting.