LETTER

Bloc in Pontiac over radioactive dump project

 

Martine Ouellet is on a tour studying CNL’s proposal for a mega dump for radioactive waste at Chalk River. She has requested a meeting with residents to hear our concerns about CNL’s proposal. This meeting is on Thursday, August 10, 10:30 am, at the Hotel Pontiac, Fort William (near Sheenboro, Pontiac).

Martine Ouellet is the leader of the Bloc Québécois and MNA for Vachon. She has been one of the few MNAs who have taken our concerns seriously.  First, by questioning David Heurtel, Minister of the Environment in Quebec, on his intentions regarding the radioactive dump. She voiced her concerns when the environment minister said he was developing “an emergency response plan in case of a disaster”. She believes Minister Heurtel doesn’t understand the magnitude of the risk associated with the project and clearly stated that "before preparing for any disaster, we should assess whether this site is appropriate”.  She welcomed and supported PQ requests to Mr Heurtel to do a BAPE (an environmental assessment) on the proposed nuclear waste dump 1 km from the Ottawa River.

Ms Ouellet holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University. She has spent her professional career in economic development with the heavy industrial sectors in Quebec, in all our regions. She has been responsible for energy efficiency projects, research and development and negotiation of major contracts (while working for Hydro Quebec).

As a member of the Parti Québécois, she wrote the water protection charter of the PQ program, which was the origin of Quebec's National Water Policy, passed in 2002. She was Minister of Natural Resources from 2012-2014, and her achievements include: the electrification of transport, energy efficiency projects, the development of a new Mining Act, a timber Charter, and, of particular interest, the end of the nuclear industry in Quebec (while the previous Liberal government wanted to revitalize Gentilly).

She has also made it clear that the Bloc will also question Prime Minister Trudeau and raise this issue in the House of Commons.

Martine Ouellet can be an important ally in our fight against this project and for these reasons OFWCA believes it is important to meet with her, August 10.  The public is welcome.

Johanna Echlin
Fort William (Pontiac)