​South Bruce votes to be willing host for used-nuclear fuel DGR

Eligible voters in the Municipality of South Bruce have voted in favour of declaring the community a willing host for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)’s Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel, following a public referendum.

Of the votes cast, 51 per cent expressed a willingness to host the NWMO project. With a majority of eligible voters (69 per cent) participating in the Oct. 28 referendum, the outcome is binding on South Bruce council under Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act.

“We are so pleased that South Bruce voters came out to have their say on this important decision,” said mayor Mark Goetz. “It is an extremely proud moment to have our community make such a momentous decision through a democratic vote.”

The NWMO has said it will site the DGR for used nuclear fuel only in a willing host community.

While the vote determined the municipality is a willing host for the project, it does not guarantee that the DGR will be sited in South Bruce. The NWMO will select its preferred site, following the completion of willingness processes in other communities.

South Bruce council will formally receive the referendum results at a special meeting Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.

More information about the 2024 South Bruce referendum, including the referendum results, is available on the municipal website.

More information about the South Bruce willingness process can be found in the Willingness Study Final Community Engagement Report.

Meanwhile, some South Bruce residents are contending that the close referendum result – 51 per cent in favour and 49 per cent opposed - can NOT be considered compelling evidence that the community is a willing host for the DGR proposed by the NWMO. They state that the difference of only 78 of 3,130 votes, demonstrates the community is closely split.

“Without a definitive outcome, the responsible decision for South Bruce councillors, Nov. 12, is to reject the proposal by the NWMO for a DGR in South Bruce,” said Bill Noll, on behalf of Protect Our Waterways.

“Almost half the people who voted in the referendum remain concerned about the long-term impacts on our community and environment. Protect Our Waterways expresses our appreciation for the strong community support, and thanks all of the 3,130 people who turned out to vote and express their opinion.”