Perspectives on DGR project description

I submit my comments and perspective on the proposed DGR project description:

I strongly oppose the DGR for high-level nuclear waste near Revell, on Treaty 3 territory.
I oppose nuclear expansionism – at Bruce, C, Darlington, Wesleyville, and future SMRs.
Alternatives to a DGR include increased safe storage at the sites of nuclear waste generation.
Foremost, we must deal with the current waste and stop producing more.
The so-called ‘need’ for this DGR is based on political motives and expansion of the industry.

It is time that we vision a new future.
We cannot continue to worship ‘money and jobs’ at the expense of Nature and the health of people.
It is grievous to see how we trash this beautiful country without conscience.
The DGR has no guarantee that it will not contaminate water, air and soil irreversibly. It is hubris to imagine that our computer speculations are smarter and more powerful than the forces of Nature. ‘ Forever containment’ is a long time.
The greed of our times is insatiable with our demand for more and more consumption and destruction of the Earth. We are spiritually sick when we seek our fulfilment in material things and do not see the sacredness of all life. Our purpose as human beings is not to ‘grow the economy’ but to live in a balanced relationship with
our earth home, and be partners in caring for creation.  We are destroying our earth and water and the habitats of so many creatures…. at our own peril. We are poisoning and destroying ourselves.
Every single day that a nuclear power plant operates - tritium and other radionuclides are contaminating the Great Lakes. Why?

Why are data centres, cancerous growth and corporate profits - at all costs - valued over and above all else?
Why are indigenous rights, community voices, and environmental concerns ignored by NWMO/ CNSC, Natural Resources and politicians?
Certainly the ‘willingness’ of host communities has been bought with huge handouts of money, dividing communities.

The nuclear industry must be condemned – from its source in uranium mining, milling, power generation, and radioactive waste – as well as its documented connection to nuclear weapons in our world of increasing proliferation. What kind of planet are we leaving as a legacy for the next generations?
Burying radioactive waste in our living Earth is not a solution – but an irresponsible escapism, and denial of our responsibility to live in a sustainable way.
We need to wake up and see the truth, and have courage to change our direction.
We need to live more simply.

Let us apply ourselves with diligence to develop other energy sources – including greater use of local renewables, and the well documented source of ‘ universal free energy’ - which has been repressed.
These are alternatives to the continuation and expansion of nuclear power.
It is time to stop the nuclear lie.
The amount of money that is being wasted on nuclear development and potential DGRs - is a travesty.

The initial project description is incomplete, avoiding the issue of transportation of radioactive waste -
for thousands of miles across country on public roads, through communities, and in dangerous weathers - for fifty years.
It is essential that transportation to the burial site be included in the impact assessment – with the right of people to say ‘no’.
It is known that US airforce pilots who transported nuclear weapons have died with cancers.
What about the drivers of transportation trucks, subject to radiation from their used fuel cargo,
and communities on their route? What about the potential for accidents, and evacuation scenarios?

The repackaging of transported radioactive waste at the burial site - risks contamination of place and people.
The design of the DGR with shafts - and many other details - such as post-closure monitoring…and what happens when there are radioactive releases…are unsatisfactory explained.

The DGR - in the pristine landscape of northern Ontario - or anywhere - is a nightmare waiting to unfold,
the creation of a forever contaminated zone. One only has to look at other failed nuclear experiments –
to see what can go wrong.
Where is the accountability?

Considering what the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation are still enduring with the mercury poisoning of the Wabigoon River - still ignored and unresolved by the government – how can we even conceive of contaminating this area further? Where is our moral conscience?

No political or corporate entity has the right or authority to inflict this dangerous project on place or people.
Where is our honesty and courage and will - to say no. And choose only what sustains life.

It is said that Nature will no longer allow us to destroy her.
The old paradigms are crumbling, and it is time for a new vision.

Rev. Ruth MacLean
Kincardine, Ontario