Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
Waterkeeper submits comments on two Regulatory Oversight Reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
On November 16, Waterkeeper submitted two reports to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) which will be considered by Commission Members as part of their annual Regulatory Oversight Report (ROR) meeting in December.
Waterkeeper reviews nuclear safety report, environmental protection performance
The CNSC asked Lake Ontario Waterkeeper to review its 2016 Oversight Report for uranium and nuclear substances processing facilities, which goes over operating performance centred around health and safety of its facilities. Read Waterkeeper's findings here, including 11 recommendations and a focus on the Port Hope Conversion Facility.
Waterkeeper's presentation at the Port Hope Area Iniative (PHAI) hearing
On November 10, 2016, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper presented at the hearing for the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI). Pippa Feinstein and Wilf Ruland represented Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and made oral presentations to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This is what we presented.
Waterkeeper's presentation at the Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF) hearing
On November 9, 2016, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper presented at the hearing for Cameco's conversion facility in Port Hope. Pippa Feinstein and Wilf Ruland represented Lake Ontario Waterkeeper and made oral presentations to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This is what we presented.
Did you know this is a monumental week for your swimmable drinkable fishable water?
Today, I am sharing something I have never shared outside our office before. Why? Because events are unfolding this week that will affect millions of Canadians for years to come. And I thought you’d want to know.
Reviewing Lake Ontario’s ailing radioactive wounds in Port Hope: PHAI and Cameco’s Conversion Facility
Waterkeeper submitted comments on the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) and Cameco’s Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF) to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Waterkeeper will participate in the public hearing for both projects next month in Port Hope. While some progress has been made to ensure the initiative supports a more swimmable, drinkable, and fishable Lake Ontario, more work is still needed.
NEB vs. CNSC: Comparing ethical standards behind closed doors
Members from Canadian energy regulators must abide by a certain code of ethics to ensure decisions are conducted in a way that prevents the perception of bias. But what happens when members don't abide by the code? Waterkeeper Mark Mattson and Waterkeeper's legal respresentative Pippa Feinstein analyze recent happenings regarding Canada's energy regulators, the NEB and the CNSC.
The fix is on: federal government launches review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act after law gutted in 2012
The worst year in the history of Canadian environmental protection was 2012. That year, the federal government gutted every major environmental law. The Fisheries Act no longer protected most fish or fish habitat. The Navigable Waters Protection Act no longer protected “water.” And the process by which major projects are reviewed was slashed. Today, Waterkeeper Mark Mattson sent a short submission to the Government of Canada endorsing the launch of new process to review environmental decision-making. Here is his submission.
Ontario’s ever growing heap of high-level nuclear waste
Ontario has a growing amount of extremely radioactive waste. And the plans for Pickering, Darlington, and Bruce will mean more waste will continue to accumulate on our freshwater shores for decades to come. In a time when there is more promotion for nuclear because it's “green,” why isn’t Canada’s nuclear waste problem discussed more often; by government, the regulator, or the media?
Can the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission do better?
If you’ve followed some of our previous work, you know that Waterkeeper questions whether the CNSC effectively serves the public as an impartial regulator. Today, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is joining Greenpeace Canada, Ecojustice, the Canadian Environmental Law Association and others in calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to initiate a twenty year review of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.