PHCHCC - News Archives

Port Hope: a question of power
CBC Documentary
Port Hope has all the hallmarks of an ideal small Ontario town.
But it also has a big problem: thousands of tonnes of radioactive waste.
For seven decades the community has been struggling with a serious environmental hazard discovered 30 years ago in the heart of their community. And now the industry that created the problem wants to introduce a new potential risk in town: the proposed production of an enriched uranium fuel, destined for the next generation of Ontario's nuclear reactors.

Port Hope: A Question of Power follows a community for more than a year through twists and turns as it struggles to find answers to questions concerning the health and safety implications of the proposed project. Community groups go head-to-head with the industry, their own town council and the federal regulators in a compelling story that comes to a surprising and dramatic ending.
Read more

Oct.11/06
Panel of critics slams nuclear regulator
by Richard Young, Northumberland Today
Canada is in need of a third-party nuclear industry regulator because the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) does not adequately protect public health and safety, Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility president Gordon Edwards charged last night. Mr. Edwards and Uranium Medical Research Centre deputy director Tedd Weyman spoke to more than 50 attendees of last night's uranium emissions panel event at the Lions Centre in Port Hope. The event, hosted by Families Against Radiation Exposure (FARE), Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee and Port Hope Nuclear Environmental Watchdogs, focused on emissions coming from two Port Hope nuclear fuel factories. Both panelists said there is much reason to be concerned about how the industry is regulated.

The CNSC consists of engineers and physicists and focuses more on the mechanical side of operations, Mr. Edwards said. There is little focus on the actual public health effects resulting from the presence of the nuclear industry. "One of the mandates is to protect health and safety of the public and workers," he said."How can you protect (health) if you don't even study it?"An agency needs to be established to study public health, Mr. Edwards said. "What we need is an agency that's really looking after the public's interest and not the industry's interest," he said. "The CNSC routinely takes the industry's interests into consideration. In fact, they treat it like royalty."

Mr. Weyman cautioned the audience about increasing uranium emissions coming from the Cameco facility. Too little energy is placed into tracking uranium emissions in the air. Port Hope residents are likely inhaling uranium dust, he said, adding the lack of studies about uranium dust inhalation conducted world-wide is of concern. There are instruments used to measure radiation levels around the facility, but no measures put into place to determine where airborne uranium dust lands, Mr. Weyman said. "There's no monitoring of uranium being inhaled by anybody," he said. Mr. Weyman questioned why the cumulative effects of uranium emissions by local nuclear industry is not added up. He also questioned why emissions from the Cameco uranium conversion facility and Zircatec nuclear fuel fabricating facility are considered to be separate from each other, despite being located in the same town. "They're not added up to see what the dose is on the town," Mr. Weyman said.

Mayoralty candidate John Floyd asked the panel whether there is a health study template from another part of the world that can be applied to Port Hope. Mr. Edwards said he is aware of five towns in the world that have similar facilities in them as Port Hope and none of them have been subject to health studies. Ward 1 council candidate Tom Lawson asked whether the local company is handcuffed by shareholders to turn profit rather than to lower emissions. Mr. Edwards said the issue is not so "open and shut." "They want to spend as little money as they have to spend," he said. "Since teh CNSC is not doing their job - if they were abolished, the public may be further ahead." Changes would come if the ministries of environment and health were forced to step in, Mr. Edwards said. When asked what people should take away from the evening, Mr. Weyman indicated a rise in uranium emissions between 2001 and 2006. "There has been an increase in uranium in the air, rather than a decrease," he said. Representatives from Cameco and the CNSC declined invitations to sit on the panel with Mr. Weyman and Mr. Edwards. A health-related panel is being hosted by Cameco later this month.

Oct.03/06
Environmental justice for Port Hope?
by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Waterkeeper.ca Weekly
Last Friday, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper submitted our official comment on the draft environmental assessment report for the radioactive waste site clean-up project in Port Hope.Waterkeeper has been part of the environmental assessment process since it began four years ago. At every stage of the process, we have tried to convey the importance of the clean-up project: to area residents, to the Lake Ontario watershed, and to environmental justice in Canada. Because the draft environmental assessment report contains so many omissions, because it is so vague about details, and because so many different government departments still remain silent, Waterkeeper is very concerned that we have failed.

In a last-ditch attempt to describe the significance of the Port Hope Project from a grassroots perspective, Waterkeeper included this background in our submission:

Seventy-five years ago, the nuclear industry came to Port Hope. It came in the name of peace & war, technological progress, and later “clean” energy. Since the very earliest days, “low-level” radioactive waste has contaminated parts of the Port Hope community. When waste sites were formally created in the 1940s, they were not equipped with environmental control technologies and, as a result, contributed to the spread of waste throughout the community.

Small-scale construction and development projects also contributed to the spread of contamination. Each post, beam, or pile of dirt moved from a contaminated area to a clean area created a new threat. The slow, unintentional spread of potentially harmful substances created a perverse legacy of pollution in an otherwise ordinary Ontario town. With it came fear: that property values might fall, that public health might be in jeopardy, and that jobs might be lost. Now, after an entire generation has grown up with this fear, there are neighbours who do not speak to each other. There are citizens who are ostracized for raising concerns. There are residents who are afraid to admit where they work.

If you consider everything this community has lost – security, pride, clean air and water – it becomes clear that the Port Hope Project is about much more than simply an engineered facility for waste. The Port Hope Project is about healing a community, both literally and figuratively.

No one disputes that mistakes were made in Port Hope in the past. No one disputes that this clean-up program must happen as soon as possible. Now it is time to ask the most important question: “How?” As in, “How will we remove all of the contamination from our yards, parks, and ravines?” And, “How will we dispose of it correctly this time?” And, “How will we ensure that, when we are done, our town will be free from this shadow of contamination forever?” And finally, “How will we be transparent, so that every citizen knows that he or she has been protected?”

Lake Ontario Waterkeeper respectfully submits that the draft screening report does not do this. It fails to reflect the enormity of this undertaking, its uniqueness, and the extent of the problems it is seeking to solve. There are many, many outstanding issues. The public needs more information, more access to decision-makers, and more opportunities to share wisdom and insight than it has currently been granted.

We have a town full of uncontained hazardous waste, a town that has already lost much of its natural heritage and social cohesion. Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Responsible Authorities must ensure that the Port Hope Project achieves and maintains a healthy environment and a healthy economy in this community … for the first time in seventy-five years.

The past is defined by mistakes and losses. This era will be defined by the Authorities' decisions, now.

In light of this history, missing information, the need for greater scrutiny, and the role of provincial environmental laws, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper requested the following:

A. That key pieces of information currently missing from the draft screening report be fully canvassed and disclosed; and,
B. That the responsible authorities request the Minister to refer the project to a review panel; and,
C. That the LLRWMO apply for a certificate of approval for waste management, pursuant to the Ontario Environmental Protection Act.

Victory!
FARE forces Cameco to scrap SEU project -
"We regret the division that this project caused"
FARE Website Sept. 25, 2005
The end to our 16-month campaign against enriched uranium came dramatically.Cameco vice-president Bob Steane called a Friday afternoon press conference to announce to a handful of local media representatives and onlookers that his company is withdrawing its license application to blend enriched uranium in Port Hope. He said opposition to the project caused delays that made his company look for other suppliers. The slightly enriched uranium dioxide is needed to fuel nuclear reactors in the Bruce Peninsula. "The Port Hope conversion facility would likely not be able to supply SEU in time to meet Bruce Power's schedule for the new fuel project," Steane said. Instead, the fuel will be purchased from a foreign supplier and shipped to Zircatec, which will still manufacture the fuel bundles and ship them to Bruce. Steane acknowledges the community opposition to SEU and said: "Our initial community consultation should have been more proactive. We needed to address public concerns about technical issues and that process ultimately took longer than the time we allotted." "We regret the strong feelings and division that this project caused during the assessment period," he said. "That was never Cameco's intention. Our relationship with this community is important to us." FARE president John Miller, who attended the press conference but was not allowed to ask questions, attributed the company's decision directly to the activities of FARE and other community groups. "If it hadn't been for us, and the questions we raised, this project would have been built by now," he said. "Finally, people listened. I give Cameco credit for ending this now, rather than putting this community through many more months of angst." Miller paid tribute to all the ordinary citizens of Port Hope who flooded the nuclear regulator with applications to intervene at a hearing that will not be held now that Cameco has withdrawn. The interventions ranged from poignant personal stories of people with cancer, to detailed critiques of the CNSC screening document, which was called sloppy, incomplete and inaccurate.

July 21, 2005
Six-month reprieve adds fuel to mistrust fire
By Jeanne Beneteau Northumberland News Online
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is the federal regulator that wields the big stick when it comes to nuclear-related industries across the country. Within its mandate to protect people and the environment from licensed sources of man-made radiation resulting from the use of nuclear energy and materials, the CNSC set a July 30 deadline for Zircatec to come up with adequate emergency response capabilities to respond to all kinds of fires at its Dorset Street East plant. Although a recent agreement hammered out between the company and the Municipality of Port Hope indicates a move in the right direction, bottom line is, come July 30, the closest team trained to fight a radiological fire at the plant is located in Toronto, an hour-and-a-half drive west along Hwy. 401. Read more

July 20, 2004
Town tells CNSC: Answer us or else
Peer review team acknowledges "the high level of sustained public concern."
F.A.R.E (Families Against Radioactive Exposure)
F.A.R.E. has received unexpected support for its position that the CNSC needs to answer the public's concerns about enriched uranium. The team of consultants hired by the Municipality of Port Hope to evaluate Cameco's environmental self-assessment has told town council that key questions remain unanswered that affect the municipality's "ability to ensure the health and safety of its citizens." The report also acknowledges for the first time that "public opposition to the project ... has grown." Read more
View Jaques Whitford July 11, 2005 report in PDF File Click here

June 29, 2005
Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation May Cause Harm
National Research Council
READ FULL REPORT ONLINE
READ BRIEF PDF REPORT
LISTEN TO THE REPORT
WASHINGTON -- A preponderance of scientific evidence shows that even low doses of ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays, are likely to pose some risk of adverse health effects, says a new report from the National Academies' National Research Council. Read more

June 06, 2005
Sparks fly and tempers flare at nuclear Safety commission
By Richard Young Northumberland Today
Activists challenge format
Two sides, both bitterly divided, showed up Saturday for a visit by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to Port Hope. The CNSC held two public consultation sessions at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #30 hall on Toronto Road. The morning session drew about 60 residents – the afternoon close to the same. An assessment of possible environmental effects caused by Cameco’s proposal to produce slightly enriched uranium (SEU) was to be discussed, but discussion strayed beyond the issue at hand during the afternoon session....Read more

June 4, 2005
What a fiasco!
'Consultation' session didn't have any mandate to listen
FARE Website
Well, that was a waste of our time, wasn’t it?
The CNSC’s long-awaited public “consultation” meeting on Cameco’s environmental self-assessment turned into a fiasco on Saturday when about 20 FARE members seized the microphone from the facilitator and organized their own plenary session. They did this after she refused to consider a request to disband the carefully stage-managed “divide and conquer” format that separated the audience into groups to discuss topics of the CNSC’s choosing.....Read More

Jun 2, 2005
Uranium and slots an unsafe mix
By Jeanne Beneteau Staff Writer Northumberland News
PORT HOPE - A Port Hope councillor has raised red flags over the wisdom and safety of parking trucks carrying radioactive material in a very public, busy casino parking lot....Read more

May 24, 2005
Nuclear burial site urged
by Peter Calamai Toronto Star
Millions of bundles of highly radioactive waste fuel should be moved from nuclear power stations, mostly in Ontario, and be buried in a deep underground mausoleum, an exhaustive federal review will recommend today.... Read More

May 24, 2005
Joint effort
by Karen Lloyd Northumberland Today
Citizens groups in communities affected by slightly enriched uranium (SEU) are now joining forces to call for highest level of scrutiny.Local citizens groups opposed to Cameco’s plans to process SEU announced Thursday that they have joined other groups across Ontario to request an independent panel review of the company’s application. Families Against Radiation Exposure, the Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee and the Nuclear Environmental Watchdogs held a joint press conference just outside the Cameco plant Thursday evening while at the same time, citizens groups in Kincardine, near Cameco’s Bruce nuclear reactor site, met with their local media. Press in Ottawa watched also as the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission was presented with affidavits spelling out the concerns of the people living in the affected communities....
Read more

May 19, 2005
3 Groups demand independent review of SEU
Communities affected by SEU call for highest level of scrutiny
FARE website - Press conference held at Port Hope Harbour
PORT HOPE – The three groups are Families Against Radiation Exposure (F.A.R.E.), the Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee (PHCHCC), and Port Hope Nuclear Environmental Watchdogs (N.E.W.). Simultaneous press conferences were held in Kincardine, near Cameco’s Bruce nuclear reactor site, and in Ottawa, where the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission was presented with affidavits spelling out the concerns of people living in the affected communities. The message was conveyed to the CNSC by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, a branch of an international organization of environmentalists led by Robert Kennedy Jr.....Read more

May 18, 2005
Concerns raised over Cameco Corporation’s
enriched uranium scheme
by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper Press Release & Background
Citizens ask Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to act Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is appealing to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to help protect Ontarians from the potential impacts of a new nuclear fuel. Waterkeeper is concerned about the Cameco Corporation’s plans to make, transport, burn, and bury enriched uranium throughout Ontario. Waterkeeper, supported by nonprofit organizations from Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and Lake Ontario, submitted a formal request that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission call for a review panel on the project. Read more
READ Complete text of LAKE ONTARIO WATERKEEPER submission to the
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commision PDF file

May 06, 2005
Resident wants property files open
By Karen Lloyd Northumberland Today Online
Resident and low-level-radioactive waste activist Faye More would like radiological files on her property made available to the public.In fact, she feels all status reports of that nature should not be kept hidden from those seeking information, including doctors, potential home buyers, and the former owners of any Port Hope property. Read MoreMay 09, 2005
Most people want panel review, survey suggests
By Richard Young Northumberland Today Online
About 98 per cent of Port Hope residents want a full-panel review to be called for Cameco's slightly enriched uranium blending proposal - at least according to surveys returned to Port Hope Nuclear Environmental Watchdogs. About 500 surveys - 430 of which were filled out and returned during Dr. David Suzuki's presentation at Port Hope High School April 4 - have been tabulated by the watchdogs, organization chair Chris Conti said. Read more

April 19, 2005
FARE detects neutron radiation near Cameco site
by Richard Young Northumberland Today
Concerns about neutron radiation detected in a parking lot adjacent to Cameco’s Port Hope facility have been described in a letter sent to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission president Linda Keen. Port Hope concerned citizens group Families Against Radiation Exposure sent the letter to the president because the matter has not been dealt with publicly, FARE president John Miller said. In February the group announced in conjunction with the Uranium Medical Research Centre that neutron radiation had been detected within 20 metres of a trailer in the parking lot.
Read more

April 19, 2005
Waterkeeper calls for panel review into
Slightly Enriched Uranium in Ontario
by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
Submission to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
On April 19, 2005, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper wrote to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) requesting permission to make an oral presentation on May 19, 2005, regarding the matter of Bruce A Refurbishment for Life Extension and Continued Operations Project. Waterkeeper has requested that the CNSC rule that the scope of the Project is: ‘the use of SEU-based fuel throughout Ontario and all activities performed in connection to the use of SEU throughout Ontario, including, but not limited to, the manufacture, transportation, and disposal thereof’.
Read more

April 5, 2005
Unresolved concerns of the people of Port Hope
Prepared by Families Against Radiation Exposure and Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee
at the request of Paul Macklin, MP
We believe that the screening process used by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to consider Cameco Corporation’s application for a license to blend enriched uranium (SEU) is not adequate to deal with the following outstanding critical issues facing the people of Port Hope. Read more

April 05, 2005
Nuclear industry not necessary, Suzuki says
By Richard Young Northumberland Today Online
Very little was said about the nuclear industry and the safety concerns of Port Hope residents by renown scientist Dr. David Suzuki during his presentation Monday night at Port Hope High School. Read more

March 29, 2005
Suzuki speaks to Port Hope
by Jeanne Beneteau Clarington This Week
Environmental issues take the spotlight as renown scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster Dr. David Suzuki takes centre stage at Port Hope High School.
Read more

March 29, 2005
CNSC posts meeting transcripts online
by Richard Young Northumberland Today Online
Transcriptions of every word spoken on the record during the Feb. 23 mid-term license reviews for Zircatec Precision Industries and Cameco Corporation can be downloaded from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission web site.
Read more
You may view The PHCHCC Submissions to the CNSC -
Part One Located on pg. 250
Part Two Located on pg. 289
View the full CNSC Hearing Transcripts Part One and Part Two

March 21, 2005
UMRC donates services for testing
By Richard Young Northumberland Today Online
Federal and corporate funding would help the Community Health Concerns Committee reach its financial goal of $30,000 and get tests conducted by the Uranium Medical Research Centre underway much sooner, CHCC chair Faye More says.Headed by Dr. Asaf Durakovic, the Toronto - and Washington-based UMRC has promised to test various Port Hope residents for uranium contamination free of charge. Lab costs will have to be covered by those residents. Read more

March 17, 2005
Residents not convinced waste move is safe
By Karen Lloyd Northumberland Today Online
Despite expert advice assuring council and members of the public that the move of low-level radioactive waste will be a safe one, some residents are still not convinced. Residents present at the March 15 council meeting were not sure whether enough research has been conducted, even after the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Office public meetings and workshops. Read more

November 24, 2004
Health studies on the way
by Karen Lloyd Northumberland Today
Health studies are set to begin in Port Hope to determine if residents have been exposed to higher levels of radiation than people living in other parts of the province.Port Hope council heard from Tedd Weyman, deputy director and field team leader of the Uranium Medical Research Centre Tuesday night, who explained the centre's medical and scientific research objectives. Read more