I live very close to the…

I live very close to the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant, a short distance from the Darlington Plant in Clarington and on the outer edge of the City of Toronto which bosts the largest population in Canada. Here I enjoy the the diversity of of urban and natural environments, the hustle and bustle of city life balanced with the beautiful parks, waterfront and ravine biodiversity my location affords me. I love it here because I feel safe. The air is clean, the water is drinkable and I have reliable and clean electricity.

I am writing today because I want to ensure we put forward and practice the best policies for nuclear safety. I would be very proud to live in a province that sets an example for the whole world to follow when it comes to managing our nuclear facilities.

The first priority is to ensure we have safety protocols that prevent a nuclear disaster from ever happening. The only reason for anything in this location is the people who live here, the people that make the economy successful and therefore are the most important asset. To make sure the water is never polluted, the land never poisoned and the air kept clean should be of primary importance. Should all protocols fail and a disaster take place (ie. an act of terrorism or war) there should be a clear and organized procedure for evacuation by land and water. So far I have potassium iodide pills and instructions to stay indoors should a worst case event take place but we could do better with a nuclear safety drill day in conjunction with environment day or earth hour day so that every community is ready to act.

Personally I don't love nuclear because of the downside (disaster or storage of spent uranium) and hope that the Ontario Government considers green energy and energy storage facilities as an alternative or supplemented source for energy and decrease dependence on nuclear. I also fear the uninformed demands for down sizing and budget cuts, or contracting management to the lowest bidder or profit making company will add to the instability of safety.

Safety is in the hands of the government. Policy for nuclear safety must put the people first.

[Original Comment ID: 210384]