Original post via Midwestern Newspapers Corp.
SOUTH BRUCE – The Municipality of South Bruce and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) are conducting another community survey.
In a joint press release on Jan. 15, it was stated the goal of the survey is to “better understand how to improve the way the organization and municipality communicates and engages with the public.”
All households in South Bruce will receive a mailed copy of the short survey beginning this week, however the survey can also be completed online or over the phone anytime between Jan.18 and Feb. 26.
If more than one individual in a household would like to complete the survey, additional copies will be made available by contacting the NWMO Learn More Centre in Teeswater at 519-392-6966.
The survey is being conducted by CCI Research, an independent Canadian research firm. They will provide the results of the survey and report to council and the Community Liaison Committee in South Bruce later in 2021.
The survey, according to the press release, will give South Bruce residents the opportunity to say how they want to receive information and “be involved moving forward.”
The survey questions focus on environmental, technical and socio-economic studies that will be initiated this year in South Bruce.
The questions in the survey were prepared with input from both the NWMO and the Municipality of South Bruce. The two parties say this survey will “help us better understand current community awareness and interest in Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.”
“Talking to people and hearing what they think – their priorities and values, questions and concerns – is a fundamental part of implementing Canada’s plan. Community surveys are one of the many ways we hear from residents,” said Dr. Ben Belfadhel, vice-president of site selection, NWMO.
“Our goal is to understand awareness of the project, and the topics people are interested in learning more about through community studies in 2021.”
South Bruce Mayor Robert Buckle is encouraging all South Bruce residents to participate in this survey.
“Our residents can let us know how they want to receive information and be involved moving forward by completing this survey. This is important to us as a Municipality as we continue in this process with our community and learn more through the studies that will take place,” said Buckle.
South Bruce is one of two areas currently involved in the NWMO’s site selection process for a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. The other is an area west of the Township of Ignace, in Northwestern Ontario.