We have lived since 1980 in…

We have lived since 1980 in Prince Edward County, 100+ KM downwind and downstream in Lake Ontario of the Darlington Nuclear station and within 80 KM of 2 nuclear stations across the border in the USA. Some of our children and grandchildren live much closer than this to Pickering and Darlington plants and have obtained KI pills that they keep at the ready. Many of our friends and their families live within the GTA fallout radius too. We would certainly sleep better at night and have more faith in the nuclear energy industry if the following safety features , concepts and plans were in place to protect us and the millions of Ontarians living in the vicinity of a nuclear plant:

-Best practice guidelines that match or exceed those of Switzerland for a Level 7 INES accident -planning for a disastrous event that took into account all conceivable possibilities with a view to worst case scenarios rather than treating them as though they could never occur -issuing free KI pills to Ontario families like us who would be impacted by a nuclear accident across the lake from us in the States -recognition that the world we exist in now is being changed forever by climate change and that weather related impacts will always be worse now and in future than in the past -having truly independent federal and provincial watchdogs for the nuclear industry , not funded or influenced by anyone within the industry , to hold them accountable for the standards to be met and having the teeth required to force compliance. Ontario’s nuclear emergency response plan should be reviewed regularly and transparently. -an end to the secrecy and obstinance when dealing with the public , environmental groups and agencies, and media when efforts are being made to obtain legitimate information concerning safety of citizens and communities that are affected by this industry -acknowledging honestly the true costs involved to taxpayers of maintaining, refurbishing and operating nuclear reactors that are far past their design life and which pose a greater risk by not shuttering them, and that the cost of new nuclear reactors is not cost effective or competitive with current new renewable power generation -planning for short and long-term accommodations and compensation for the tens of thousands of people who will be displaced by a disaster of a Level 7, with special attention given to the needs of the elderly and hospital and other vulnerable populations -Ontario should be able to protect drinking water supplies in the event of a nuclear accident at any of the twenty-five reactors that line the Great Lakes.

I respectfully ask that the Government of Ontario consider and act on the points raised by all who have taken the time to comment. Also, that you put your heart and soul into searching for answers to questions that are not yet asked or seem inconceivable at this point in time but are no less important. Much better and safer to error on the side of caution , set and meet the highest standards rather than set the bar so low and fail to even meet that. Thank you for consideration of my thoughts on this vital topic.

[Original Comment ID: 210345]