Essex MPP demands more government support for towns near U.S. nuclear plants

Essex MPP TarasNatyshakand Amherstburgfire officials held a press conference at Queen's Park Wednesday to demand the provincial governmentprovide more support for Ontario towns near U.S. nuclear plants.

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The call for action came after arecent report by Auditor GeneralBonnie Lysyk said Ontario's emergency responsefor nuclear disasters is not good enough.

Amherstburgis about 16 kilometres from the Fermi II Nuclear plant in Michigan, yet it does not received the same level of support as communities near Canadian nuclear generating stations, according to Lysyk, includingthyroid blocking pills, practice testsand emergency management.

No nuclear protection in Amherstburg

7 years ago

Duration 1:00

A recent report by the Auditor General said Ontario's emergency response for nuclear disasters is not good enough.

"Local leaders have been speaking out for years, calling for the Liberal government to finally wake up and realize that they are leaving southwestern Ontario municipalities to fend for themselves should catastrophe strike," said Natyshak."It's time for the Wynne government to finally take responsibility for emergency management and provide southwestern Ontario communities with the support they need."

Amherstburggets $25,000 annually from Detroit, Mich.-based DTEEnergy Co. which goes directly to a nuclear management program, funding things like the town's siren notification system.

"We get nothing from Ontario," Montonepreviously told CBC News, adding that communitiesnear nuclear power plants located in Ontario receive more than $100,000 a year in funding from the provincial government.

"We are not nearly as prepared as we need to be."