By Rosalind Russell – The councils of the townships of Baldwin, and Nairn and Hyman have jointly submitted a formal letter to Premier Doug Ford, voicing their strong opposition to the proposed transportation and deposition of radioactive mine tailings and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) to the Agnew Lake Tailings Management Area.
The letter, which contains a resolution unanimously passed by both Councils, outlines the municipalities’ serious concerns regarding the project’s potential environmental and health risks, particularly the potential contamination of Agnew Lake—a critical drinking water source for many residents in the region.
The letter emphasizes that both councils reviewed reports regarding the Beaucage Mine and Waste Site near North Bay and concluded that the materials that are to be transported, are not accurately categorized as NORM but are mine tailings containing hazardous heavy metals, including niobium and uranium.
The resolution also asks that the local site should be remediated using clean materials to mitigate existing environmental impacts, rather than accepting additional hazardous materials that could exacerbate contamination and environmental damage.
A petition will also be presented at Queen’s Park by Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha soon.
The Councils have demanded transparency and accountability from the Province, requesting that the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Transportation, and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission provide clear answers to the municipalities’ questions and notify them of any forward movements on this project.
The joint resolution has been forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, relevant government ministries, First Nations leaders, the Ontario Ombudsman, environmental law organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that all parties are informed and engaged in this critical issue.
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