Candidates weigh in on Chalk River disposal facility

Candidates weigh in on Chalk River disposal facility

At the federal candidates debate hosted by CHIP 101.9 on August 25, the four participants were questioned on their views on the issue of the proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) project at Chalk River. The facility would permanently store 1,000,000 cubic metres of low level radioactive waste in mound on the Chalk River grounds, about 1 km from the Ottawa River. Currently, the NSDF’s final Environmental Impact Statement has been submitted to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and there will be several upcoming hearings on the issue, though the dates haven’t yet been determined.

First up was Michel Gauthier, who said that he wasn’t satisfied with the current location of the facility and questioned why it couldn’t be placed elsewhere.

Next was Denise Giroux of the NDP who took a firm stance against the NSDF, calling it “unacceptable.”

Green Party candidate Shaughn McArthur’s response was similar to Giroux’s, as he pointed to the concerns raised by local groups that have been opposing this project for years.

Liberal candidate Sophie Chatel followed up by saying that while she appreciates the public’s concerns, there was a public consultation process in place where they could be voiced.

A compilation of all the English portions of the debate can be found here.