May 28, 2022

Five Algonquin First Nations are saying they have not been adequately consulted about the NSDF or not been consulted at all.

Kebaowek First Nation (KFN)

The Kebaowek First Nation’s letter to the CNSC  (Jan. 31, 2022) states that the CNSC’s decisions “pose significant and long-term impacts [to] Kebaowek’s constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights,”  and that “The CNSC as yet, has not discharged its duty to consult nor undertaken consultation with Kebaowek before deciding to proceed with the licensing and EA hearing for the NSDF.”

From KFN’s supplementary submission to the CNSC April 28, 2022:

“United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Although the mandate of the CNSC does not mention a mandate to examine the relationship between the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the NSDF, the Committee should be reminded of your government’s adoption of UNDRIP at the UN assembly and incorporate the “minimal standards” developed by States and Indigenous peoples from around the world with respect to the protection of waters used and valued by Indigenous people. 

Article 32 of UNDRIP recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples’ to control development of their traditional territories and resources. Among that development is the exploitation and use of water resources. In fact, States such as Canada should be engaged in good faith processes with Indigenous peoples affected by development projects in their territories in order to obtain the free, prior and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting Indigenous water resources.

KFN takes the position that the CNSC has not engaged in consultation via a good faith process intended to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of our community with respect to the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the NSDF. We further take the position that the duty to consult and accommodate has been eliminated and/or seriously reduced.

The Commission is not in a position to make either of the determinations required in order to approve CNL’s application. The CNSC has not fulfilled the DTCA with KFN and consequently, it cannot satisfy itself that the requirements under the CEAA or the NSCA have been met. The Commission has no option at this point but to either deny CNL’s application or defer its decision to allow for the proper fulfillment of its DTCA. Proceeding otherwise would result in the Commission’s violation of the Crown’s constitutional obligations and potentially the greater and unknown impacts to both the environment and our inherent and projected rights.”

Mitchikanibikok Inik, Algonquins of Barriere Lake (ABL)

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake state in their letter to the CNSC (April 1, 2022) that: “it appears to us that your Agency’s approach to fast tracking the NSDF hearing without fully and meaningfully consulting affected Algonquin Anishinaabeg communities is unreasonable and falls considerably short of fulfilling the Crown’s duty to meaningfully consult.”

From ABL’s submission to CNSC (May 4, 2022):

“We have lived in the Kishi Sipi watershed from time immemorial…The Algonquin Nation have been on the territory for over 8000 years…Never once was ABL directly contacted or consulted by the CNSC or CNL…ABL has always taken on our role as protectors of the land and resources on our traditional territory seriously.”

“ABL submitted a request for ruling to the CNSC on April 1, 2022, in accordance with rule 20 of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Rules of Procedure in favour of an adjournment of this public hearing for a period of 12 months. We made this request on the basis that we are extremely concerned about the NSDF project’s and its potential impacts and considering our community’s deep-seated ecological and environmental knowledge, acquired through a long and intimate association with the Kitchi-Sibi, as we know the Ottawa River, and surrounding sites are not reflected in the baseline studies conducted by CNL. We also took issue with the aggressive timeline that has led to the negotiation of participant funding agreements being undertaken in an informational vacuum. Despite this, the Commission determined that an adjournment was not merited and that it would be premature to adjourn the proceedings at this time…”

“While the CNSC staff have recommended that the Commission determine that the NSDF project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects referred to in the CEAA and conclude pursuant to the NSCA that CNL’s application with respect to the NSDF should be approved, the Commission cannot make this determination and fulfill its DTCA absent ABL’s input and engagement with this process. The Commission simply does not have any of the information it needs to make these determinations. Both ABL’s lack of opportunity to provide this input and CNSC’s resulting inability to consider and address this information mean that the DTCA has not been met.”

“The Commission is not in a position to make either of the determinations required in order to approve CNL’s application. The CNSC has not fulfilled the DTCA owed to ABL, in fact it has not engaged with us at all and consequently it cannot satisfy itself that the requirements under the CEAA or the NSCA have been met. The Commission has no option at this point but to either deny CNL’s application or defer its decision to allow for the proper fulfillment of its DTCA through the creation of an engagement framework that properly recognizes ABL as an equal jurisdiction in this matter. Proceeding otherwise would result in the Commission’s violation of the Crown’s constitutional obligations and potentially the greater and unknown impacts to both the environment and our inherent and projected rights.”

Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg(KZA)

The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, in its submission to the CNSC (April 11, 2022) stated: “we do not give our consent for this project in its current form. . . . As mentioned above we also do not consider that we have been adequately and meaningfully consulted and especially not accommodated on this project.”

Wolf Lake First Nation (WLFN)

The Wolf Lake First Nation, In its  recent submission to the CNSC dated May 4, 2022, states: “We do not agree with the NSDF disposal mound proposal on our Title territory alongside the Ottawa River. We view this alarming situation as clearly inconsistent with the federal objective of advancing reconciliation. Moreover, the commission bypassing our and other Algonquin communities’ participation in the CEAA 2012 environmental assessment ignores our rights under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate WLFN’s concerns.”

Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN)

AOPFN say they are not ready to provide their free prior and informed consent (FPIC).

Here are some excerpts from this AOPFN submission to the CNSC May, 19, 2022: 

“Engagement on critical issues – the location of the facility, planning for management of wastes,importation of wastes, respect for AOPFN’s consent requirement, and what impacts are likely should the Project proceed – has been superficial or dismissive and has not led to reconciliatory actions”

“AOPFN has never been engaged by AECL or CNL in site planning activities to date.”

“The importation of radioactive waste from other facilities, is opposed to the AOPFN’s nuclear sector principles and the Anishinabek Nation and Iroquois Caucus (2017) Declaration on Nuclear Wastes which calls for ‘no imports or exports’ of nuclear wastes”

“The Project as proposed is not ready”

“The AOPFN is not ready to provide its FPIC due to Project uncertainties and lack of evidence of adequate mitigation and accommodation, and that consent is paramount”

“Further work is required to: 

• Confirm with impacted parties this is the best location for CRL waste storage

• Remove incoming waste streams from the Project plan

• Show that impacts on rights are properly predicted, minimized and accommodated for 

• There is no emergency requiring immediate action; Canada and its contractor should take the time it takes to develop a Project acceptable to impacted parties

• The CNSC can play a key role in this by requiring additional work be done prior to making a decision or deeming the Project is not ready to proceed as proposed”

A multinational consortium plans to pile up one million tonnes of radioactive and hazardous wastes in a gigantic landfill beside the Kitchi Sibi / Ottawa River in unceded traditional Algonquin territory.

The proponent’s own studies show that the giant mound would leak and disintegrate long before radioactive components like plutonium decayed to a harmless state. 

Staff of Canada’s captured nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, are recommending that the license be approved.

On Thursday June 2, 2022 the commission will hear oral interventions from five Algonquin First Nations who say they have not been adequately consulted about the plan and DO NOT CONSENT to the licensing of the facility at this time.

Everyone with concerns about the plan for the giant leaking radioactive dump is invited to support the Algonquin First Nations in a “NO CONSENT” Day of Action on Thursday, June 2.

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT and STAND WITH our Algonquin friends and allies on June 2:

IN PERSON

~ Come to the hearings at the Best Western Hotel in Pembroke and sit in the hearing room while the Algonquin First Nations make their presentations to the tribunal (roughly 11 am to 5 pm)

~ Wear a racing bib (piece of paper pinned to your clothing) that says “NO CONSENT” or “FPIC” for “Free Prior and Informed Consent”

~ While your car is parked at the hotel, decorate it with a “NO CONSENT” or “FPIC” sign

ONLINE

~ Send messages to decision makers: MPs, councillors, Mayors etc. (sample messages here and see twitter tags below the photo)

~ Spread the word to your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and encourage them to participate

~ Make a NO CONSENT sign, and share photos of it on social media, using the #NOCONSENT hashtag; be sure to tag elected officials and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

~ Send a note of encouragement or thanks to our Algonquin allies on the NO CONSENT DAY of ACTION Facebook Page. https://fb.me/e/1HiCMydeY

Twitter Tags for Decision-makers and MPs

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
@CNSC_CCSN

President and CEO of CNSC Rumina Velshi
@RVelshi

Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson

@JonathanWNV

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault

@s_guilbeault

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Marc Miller 

@MarcMillerVM

Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu

@PattyHajdu

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

@JustinTrudeau

Governor General of Canada Mary Simon

@GGCanada              

Opposition Critics

Laurel Collins – NDP Critic for Environment and Climate Change

@Laurel_BC

Richard Cannings– NDP Deputy Critic for Natural Resources

@CanningsNDP

Charlie Angus – NDP Critic for Natural Resources

@CharlieAngusNDP

Kyle Seeback – Conservative Shadow minister for Environment and Climate Change

@kyleseeback

Greg McLean – Conservative Shadow Minister for Natural Resources

@GregMcLeanYYC

Elizabeth May, MP, Green Party of Canada

@ElizabethMay

Monique Pauzé, Députée et porte-parole de l’environnement pour le Bloc Québécois

@m_pauze

Tag your Member of Parliament.  Regional (Eastern Ont./West Que.) MPs:

Sophie Chatel

@SophieChatel1

Greg Fergus

@GregFergus

Steven MacKinnon

@stevenmackinnon

Yasir Naqvi 

@Yasir_Naqvi

Anita Vandenbeld

@anitavandenbeld

David McGuinty

@DavidMcGuinty

Mona Fortier

@MonaFortier

MFLalonde

@mflalonde

Chandra Arya

@AryaCanada

Jenna Sudds

@JennaSudds

Francis Drouin

@Francis_Drouin

Pierre Poilievre

@PierrePoilievre

Cheryl Gallant

@cherylgallant

Sébastien Lemire

@seblemire

Stéphane Lauzon

@stephanelauzon5

21 May 2022

Four First Nations have called for suspension of licensing hearings for this project: Kebaowek First Nation, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Mitchikanibikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake), and Wolf Lake First Nation. 

In spite of these calls to suspend the hearings, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is proceeding with final licensing hearings for the Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF). The hearings are scheduled to take place from May 30 to June 3, 2022. 

The Kebaowek First Nation’s letter to the CNSC  (Jan. 31, 2022) states that the CNSC’s decisions “pose significant and long-term impacts [to] Kebaowek’s constitutionally protected Aboriginal rights,”  and that “The CNSC as yet, has not discharged its duty to consult nor undertaken consultation with Kebaowek before deciding to proceed with the licensing and EA hearing for the NSDF.”

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake state in their letter to the CNSC (April 1, 2022) that: “it appears to us that your Agency’s approach to fast tracking the NSDF hearing without fully and meaningfully consulting affected Algonquin Anishinaabeg communities is unreasonable and falls considerably short of fulfilling the Crown’s duty to meaningfully consult.”

The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (April 11, 2022) state: “we do not give our consent for this project in its current form. . . . As mentioned above we also do not consider that we have been adequately and meaningfully consulted and especially not accommodated on this project.”

The Wolf Lake First Nation, In its  recent submission to the CNSC dated May 4, 2022, states “We do not agree with the NSDF disposal mound proposal on our Title territory alongside the Ottawa River. We view this alarming situation as clearly inconsistent with the federal objective of advancing reconciliation. Moreover, the commission bypassing our and other Algonquin communities’ participation in the CEAA 2012 environmental assessment ignores our rights under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate WLFN’s concerns.”

*** Thursday June 2 is INDIGENOUS DAY at the hearings***

Licensing hearings for the Chalk River Mound (NSDF) will take place May 30 – June 3, 2022

For six long years, many folks have been working hard to stop the plan to pile up one million tonnes of radioactive and hazardous wastes in a gigantic landfill beside the Ottawa River. The proponent’s own studies show that the giant mound would leak and disintegrate long before radioactive components like plutonium decayed to a harmless state. 

Staff of Canada’s captured nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, are recommending that the license be approved. There are many flaws, errors and omissions in the CNSC staff’s case to approve the license. The hearings will take place at the Best Western Hotel in Pembroke from May 30 to June 3, 2022.

This is precedent setting folks! Please join us in supporting all the groups and individuals who will intervene on behalf of common sense and future generations. You are welcome to watch the hearings online or in person, and we hope there might also be some activities outside of the official proceedings that we will livestream and invite the public to attend.

Here is a link to the draft agenda for the five days of hearings: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HUScWS-WgMwX0mABZW9cNF3q3B_I6K7U/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112478340457417432001&rtpof=true&sd=true

The graphic below from Radio Canada Découverte, March 2018, shows the mound overflowing as part of the degradation and erosion process, described by the proponent in its Performance Assessment report.

(veuillez consulter la version anglaise pour les liens vers les références)

le 29 avril 2022

Chers maires, préfets et conseillers du comté de Renfrew et de la ville de Pembroke,

Les élus de la vallée de l’Outaouais ont fait l’objet de pressions pour soutenir le ” NSDF “, le gigantesque site d’enfouissement de déchets nucléaires de Chalk River, qui accueillera un million de tonnes de déchets radioactifs et dangereux. L’audience finale d’autorisation de l’installation commence le 30 mai 2022.

Les Laboratoires de Chalk River ont été le deuxième employeur du comté de Renfrew pendant de nombreuses années. Il est compréhensible que les élus souhaitent soutenir les Laboratoires de Chalk River et maintenir le financement et les emplois. Cependant, soutenir le NSDF pourrait être une grave erreur pour le comté de Renfrew. Considérez ce qui suit :

• Les déchets radioactifs de Chalk River, décrits dans un article du Ottawa Citizen de 2011 intitulé ” Chalk River’s Toxic Legacy “, doivent être nettoyés. Ils représentent la part du lion d’une responsabilité fédérale en matière de déchets nucléaires qui est de loin la plus grande responsabilité environnementale du gouvernement du Canada. S’il est effectué correctement, selon les normes internationales et conformément aux plans élaborés par EACL en 2014, le nettoyage coûterait environ 16 milliards de dollars et prendrait plusieurs décennies.
• Dans le but d’accélérer les choses et de réduire les coûts, un consortium multinational a été engagé en 2015 dans le cadre d’un partenariat public-privé et s’est vu confier la propriété des Laboratoires nucléaires canadiens (LNC).  Le consortium, ” Canadian National Energy Alliance “, est composé de SNC Lavalin et de deux multinationales basées au Texas, Fluor et Jacobs. Leur contrat stipule qu’ils réduiront rapidement et à moindre coût le passif nucléaire fédéral.
• CNL a proposé le NSDF comme moyen de nettoyer le site des laboratoires de Chalk River et de réduire le passif nucléaire fédéral. Le coût estimé de la NSDF est de 750 millions de dollars. CNL propose de mettre dans le NSDF des matières qui ne devraient jamais être mises en décharge, comme le plutonium.
• CNL importe des déchets nucléaires commerciaux et fédéraux à Chalk River pour les éliminer dans le NSDF. Ces expéditions ont lieu en dépit d’une demande spécifique de la ville d’Ottawa de cesser les importations de déchets radioactifs dans la vallée de l’Outaouais.
• Les détracteurs de la proposition de NSDF, y compris des scientifiques et des cadres supérieurs d’EACL à la retraite, affirment que l’installation est mal située et ne répond pas aux normes de sécurité internationales. Les propres études de CNL montrent que le NSDF fuirait et se désintégrerait bien avant que les composants radioactifs comme le plutonium ne soient réduits à un état inoffensif. L’Assemblée des Premières Nations et plus de 140 municipalités, dont le comté de Pontiac, Ottawa, Gatineau et Montréal, ont adopté des résolutions d’inquiétude au sujet du projet proposé.
• Si le NSDF est approuvé, nous obtiendrons une installation non conforme aux normes et qui fuit pour 750 millions de dollars, au lieu des 16 milliards de dollars dépensés sur plusieurs décennies. Si le projet est approuvé, le monticule radioactif qui fuit polluera la rivière des Outaouais, aura une incidence négative sur la valeur des propriétés et posera des risques pour la santé des générations actuelles et futures de la vallée de l’Outaouais.

Cela ne semble pas être un traitement équitable pour les résidents de la vallée de l’Outaouais qui ont vécu avec la pollution radioactive des laboratoires de Chalk River pendant près de huit décennies. Nous méritons certainement des installations de classe mondiale dont nous pouvons être fiers et qui empêcheront les déchets radioactifs d’entrer dans notre air et notre eau potable. Des voûtes de béton creusées dans le sol et des cavernes rocheuses sur des sites plus éloignés de la rivière des Outaouais permettraient de mieux contenir les déchets et de mieux protéger la rivière.

Nos élus devraient s’inquiéter du fait que les coûts pour les contribuables canadiens ont quadruplé depuis le début du partenariat public-privé en 2015. Le consortium est payé plus d’un milliard de dollars par an, en hausse par rapport aux 327 millions de dollars reçus par EACL en 2015. Une demande d’accès à l’information de 2016 a révélé que neuf cadres supérieurs de CNL étaient payés en moyenne 722 000 $ par personne par année et que vingt-huit entrepreneurs principaux étaient payés en moyenne 377 275 $ par année par personne. La responsabilité fédérale en matière de déchets nucléaires n’a pas diminué depuis que le consortium a pris le contrôle des Laboratoires de Chalk River.

Les médias ont récemment fait état de dons de CNL à des œuvres de charité dans la vallée de l’Outaouais. Il ne fait aucun doute qu’il s’agit de dons précieux pour les bénéficiaires, mais ce ne sont que des gouttes d’eau dans l’océan des plus d’un milliard de dollars que le consortium reçoit chaque année des contribuables canadiens, dont une grande partie va à des actionnaires étrangers, des cadres supérieurs étrangers et des entrepreneurs étrangers. Nous nous demandons s’il est approprié que l’argent de nos impôts soit utilisé par des sociétés étrangères pour obtenir un soutien pour le NSDF.

Dire “non” au NSDF ne signifierait pas la fin des emplois de l’industrie nucléaire dans la vallée de l’Outaouais. Les déchets ne vont nulle part et doivent être nettoyés. La responsabilité des déchets nucléaires est une industrie de plusieurs milliards de dollars. Pourquoi ne pas développer davantage notre expertise canadienne et devenir des leaders mondiaux dans le déclassement des centrales nucléaires et la gestion des déchets radioactifs ?  Un engagement à l’égard d’un nettoyage de classe mondiale entraînerait un financement accru sur une plus longue période, plus d’emplois, la protection de la santé et de la rivière des Outaouais, une plus grande tranquillité d’esprit et le respect de nos partenaires internationaux.

Yours sincerely,

Lynn Jones

Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area 

Johanna Echlin

Old Fort William Cottagers’ Association

Traduit avec www.DeepL.com/Translator(version gratuite)

Réformes nécessaires à la Commission canadienne de sûreté nucléaire ~ Lettre à l’éditeur du Hill Times

April 29, 2022

Dear Mayors, Reeves and Councillors of Renfrew County and the City of Pembroke,

Elected officials in the Ottawa Valley have been lobbied to support the “NSDF,” the giant Chalk River nuclear waste landfill for one million tonnes of radioactive and hazardous waste. The final licensing hearing for the facility begins on May 30, 2022.

Chalk River Laboratories has been the second largest employer in Renfrew County for many years. It is understandable that elected officials wish to support Chalk River Laboratories and keep the funding and jobs going. However, supporting the NSDF could be a serious mistake for Renfrew County. Consider the following:

• The radioactive waste at Chalk River, described in a 2011 Ottawa Citizen article “Chalk River’s Toxic Legacy,” needs to be cleaned up. It represents the lion’s share of a federal nuclear waste liability that is by far the largest environmental liability on the books of the Government of Canada. If done properly, to international standards and according to plans developed by AECL in 2014, the cleanup would cost roughly $16 billion and take several decades.
• In an effort to speed things up and cut costs, a multinational consortium was contracted in 2015 under a public-private partnership and given ownership of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).  The consortium, “Canadian National Energy Alliance,” is comprised of SNC Lavalin and two Texas-based multinationals, Fluor and Jacobs. Their contract says they will quickly and cheaply reduce the federal nuclear liabilities.
• CNL has proposed the NSDF as the way to clean up the Chalk River Laboratories site and reduce the federal nuclear liabilities. The estimated cost for the NSDF is $750 million. CNL is proposing to put materials in the NSDF that should never be put in a landfill such as plutonium. 
• CNL is importing commercial and federal nuclear wastes to Chalk River for disposal in the NSDF. These shipments are happening despite a specific request from the City of Ottawa for cessation of radioactive waste imports into the Ottawa Valley.
• Critics of the NSDF proposal, including retired senior scientists and managers from AECL, say the facility is poorly sited and fails to meet  international safety standards. CNL’s own studies show that the NSDF would leak and disintegrate long before radioactive components like plutonium decayed to a harmless state. The Assembly of First Nations and more than 140 municipalities, including Pontiac County, Ottawa, Gatineau and Montreal have passed resolutions of concern about the proposed project.
• If the NSDF is approved, we will get one substandard leaking facility for $750 million, instead of $16 billion spent over many decades. If approved, the leaking radioactive mound will pollute the Ottawa River, adversely affect property values, and pose health risks to current and future generations in the Ottawa Valley.

This does not seem to be fair treatment for Ottawa Valley residents who have lived with radioactive pollution from Chalk River Laboratories for close to eight decades. Surely we deserve world class facilities that we can be proud of and that will keep radioactive wastes out of our air and drinking water. In-ground concrete vaults and rock caverns on sites further from the Ottawa River would provide better waste containment and better protection for the river.

It should concern our elected representatives that costs to Canadian taxpayers have quadrupled since the public private partnership began in 2015. The consortium is being paid more than $1 billion annually up from the $327 million AECL received in 2015. A 2016 access to information request revealed that nine senior CNL executives were paid an average of $722,000 per person per year and twenty-eight senior contractors were paid an average of $377,275 per year per person. Almost all of these senior executives and senior contractors were non-Canadian.There has been no decrease in the federal nuclear waste liabilities since the consortium took over control of Chalk River Laboratories.

Donations from CNL to charitable causes in the Ottawa valley have been reported in the media recently. No doubt these are valuable donations to the recipients but they are tiny drops in the bucket of the more than $1 billion the consortium is receiving annually from Canadian taxpayers, much of it going to foreign shareholders, foreign senior executives and foreign contractors. We question whether it is appropriate for our tax dollars to be used by foreign corporations to garner support for the NSDF.

Saying “no” to the NSDF would not mean an end to nuclear industry jobs in the Ottawa Valley. The wastes are not going anywhere and need to be cleaned up. The nuclear waste liability is a multibillion dollar industry. Why not further develop our Canadian expertise and become world leaders in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management?  A commitment to world class cleanup would bring more funding over a longer period, more jobs, protection of health and the Ottawa River, greater peace of mind and the respect of our international partners. 

Yours sincerely,

Lynn Jones, Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area

Johanna Echlin, Old Fort William Cottagers’ Association

Posted 29 April 2022, revised 9 May 2022

If the license to build it is approved, large quantities of Cobalt-60 and Tritium from commercial sources will be disposed of in the Chalk River Mound.

Significant quantities of cobalt-60 and tritium are imported as radioactive wastes from other countries. These two substances would give off nearly all the initial radioactivity in the NSDF.  The “Licensed Inventory” for the NSDF (Table 13 in the Waste Acceptance Criteria) includes 90.6 Terabecquerels of cobalt-60 and 0.891 Terabecqurels of tritium.

Chalk River Laboratories, a publicly owned research facility, is Canada’s only commercial radioactive waste STORAGE facility.  

There are many companies shipping wastes to Chalk River.  A partial list for the period 2014 to 2018 obtained through an Access to Information request to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) includes ABB Inc., ALARA Consultants, Bunge Canada, BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada, DFF Recyclex, Energy Solutions Canada, Kinetrics, MDS Nordion, Noremtech Inc., Nuclear Services Canada, Overwatch, Permafix NW, Shield Source, Spencer Manufacturing, SRB Technologies, Stuart Hunt, Uni-Vert, and Voith.

Large quantities of cobalt-60 and cesium-137 ‘disused sources’ are in storage at Chalk River, mainly imported by Ottawa-based companies Nordion and Best Theratronics.  The transcript of the 2019 licensing hearing for Best Theratronics says “In 2014, we had a resident inventory of disused sources at Nordion. All of that has now been disposed of at CNL… So I can report that all those legacy sources, which is over 500 sources, cobalt and cesium, have been successfully removed from our license.”

Amounts of cesium-137 in storage are likely to be roughly 100,000 times the  “licensed inventory” limit for the NSDF. CNL may have initially planned to put its stored cesium-137 waste in the NSDF as well, but backed off because it is designated as intermediate level waste (ILW) by the International Atomic Energy Agency (higher activity cobalt-60 waste is also considered to be ILW).

SRB Technologies (based in Pembroke) imports large quantities of waste ‘light sources’ filled with tritium (the radioactive form of hydrogen) from the U.S.  It regularly receives truckloads of expired tritium exit signs, dismantles them, and puts the tritium-filled ‘glow in the dark’ glass tubes in packages, and ships them to Chalk River for storage.  Nuclear regulations in the U.S. do not allow expired tritium exit signs to be dumped in municipal landfills.  Canada has a special exemption in its nuclear regulations to allow this, but as far as we can tell, SRB only sends small quantities of its tritium wastes to the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Center.  All of SRB’s radioactive waste imports are sent to Chalk River.

When commercial wastes are sent to Chalk River the ownership changes.  We, the Canadian citizens and taxpayers, become the proud owner of radioactive waste shipped from around Canada and around the world.  Technically speaking, the federal crown corporation AECL becomes the owner of this waste, and is responsible for its long-term management.  

This has been going on for many years.  Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, which has been contracted by AECL to deal as quickly and cheaply as possible with AECL’s 70+ years of accumulated waste, appears to be planning to put into the NSDF as much as possible of the (former) commercial waste now in storage at Chalk River .

~~~~~

Information from Canada’s most recent report to the Joint Convention confirms that wastes are being imported from other countries

Table D.5 in Canada’s Seventh National Report to the Joint Convention lists facilities in Canada that manage non-spent fuel radioactive waste, including intermediate level waste (ILW) and low level waste (LLW).  These include Best Theratronics Manufacturing Facility, Kanata, Ontario that engages in “Storage of disused sealed sources and depleted uranium shielding (LLW and ILW)” and Nordion Manufacturing Facility in Kanata that also engages in “Storage of disused sealed sources (ILW).”

Table D.8 in the Report has an inventory of low and intermediate level radioactive waste in storage in Canada as of December 31, 2019.  It shows that Best Theratronics had 71 Terabecquerels of “Disused cobalt-60 sealed sources, disused cesium-137 sealed sources, depleted uranium shielding components;” and Nordion had 4,126 Terabecquerels of “Disused cobalt-60 sealed sources; disused cesium-137 sealed sources.”  A Terabecquerel is the radioactivity of the quantity of a radioactive substance that undergoes one thousand trillion radioactive disintegrations every second.

Section J of the Report says that “the CNSC has received more than 2,820 applications to export Category 1 and 2 radioactive sealed sources to 100 countries and has controlled the export of more than 20.4 million TBq [Terabecquerels],” adding that “Canada remains a global leader in the production and export of Category 1 cobalt-60 radioactive sealed sources, supplying approximately 95 percent of the global demand.”

Section J of the Report, Disused sealed sources, quotes the Joint Convention as saying that “A Contracting Party shall allow for re-entry into its territory of disused sealed sources if, in the framework of its national law, it has accepted that they be returned to a manufacturer qualified to receive and possess the disused sealed sources.”  Section J adds that “For long-term management, radioactive sealed sources may be returned to the manufacturer in Canada,” and that disused sources may be sent to a licensed waste management facility “such as the facility operated by CNL in Chalk River, Ontario.”

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Here are specific points about Cobalt-60 excerpted from the Concerned Citizens’ intervention for the May 30 licensing hearings:

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The following presentation was given to the City of Ottawa Environment Committee on March 30, 2021

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PBgA1D48fBgKw3N7yGoUta_3J1Jt5FETz83vhtMc4k0/edit?usp=sharing