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.
Zircatec is a valued member of the Port Hope business community, providing both jobs and support for countless community organizations. However, the lack of fire response abilities must override economic benefits. Public health and safety must come first at all costs, a cost that must be borne by the company lock, stock and barrel. Timely fire response is more than an item on the wish-list of community groups who are pushing hard to see these measures in place; it is a licencing requirement. While additional training for local firefighters paid for by the company is indeed a good thing, it will mean little in the event of a radiological fire at the site. Granted the chances are slim, given state-of-the-art fail-safes in place at the plant, but the possibility does exist.

When it comes to nuclear matters, Port Hope council has stated numerous times it has "faith in the process" and has touted the importance of letting the process run its course. In this instance, the process is clear. The company must meet CNSC requirements for fire protection within the established time line. While the protection to persons and property committee's recommendation to cut Zircatec six-month's slack may be a smart economic move, it does little to build trust and establish better relations with those vocal residents who already feel council is more concerned about big business and the revenue it generates than it is about the health and safety of the community.

The committee really dropped the ball on this one. Either you trust the process or you don't. Faith in the CNSC to do its job has to be an all-or-nothing-at-all deal and economic benefits must take a back seat when community health and safety are involved.

Jeanne Beneteau is a staff writer with Northumberland News. jbeneteau@northumberlandnews.com

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