Kebaowek First Nation calls on federal government to intervene in nuclear waste project

In its latest efforts to stop the construction of a radioactive waste disposalsite, Kebaowek First Nation is looking to Environment and Climate Change Canada to intervene.

The Algonquin community, located in western Quebec about 300 kilometres northwest of Ottawa, wants the federal department to halt Canadian Nuclear Laboratories's (CNL)pending permit application under the Species at Risk Act.

On Jan. 8, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved CNL's proposal to build an engineered mound or "near surface disposal facility" close to theChalk River, Ont., siteabout 160 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.

CNL says the mound will holdup to 1,000,000 cubic metres oflow-level radioactive wasteincluding contaminated soil and building materials from decommissioned Chalk River activities andgeneral items like mops andprotective clothing that have become contaminated.

The site is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation. While the Algonquins of Pikwakanaganhave givenconsentand entered into a long-term relationship agreementwith CNLand site owner Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the 10 Algonquin communities in Quebec oppose the project over environmental concerns.

"Through this entire process, we feel like we've been only given lip service," said Lance Haymond, chief of Kebaowek First Nation.

"We believe that the government should stop this project if it is serious about reconciliation anddoing things differently with First Nations."

According to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's record of decision, the project is "not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effect." However, prior to the construction of the facility, CNL is required to get a permit from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) under Section 73 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The decision stated that arepresentative from ECCC confirmed that the department was reviewing the permit application and had raised no concerns.

Kebaowekis concerned about the site's proximity to the Ottawa River, and potential impacts on black bear dens and other species such as the eastern wolf and peregrine falcon. It made a request to ECCC and ministerStevenGuilbeault that it be includedin the SARA permit approval's consultation process.

"We have committed to continue every effort to stop this project," said Haymond.

"Andone of them is understanding the process and intervening or asking to intervene, and participate when we can."

In an emailed statement, CNLsaid it has initiated the process with ECCCto obtain apermit and that there is a comprehensive discussion of the species at risk within the company's environmental impact statement.

"Theassessments and plans conducted for the purpose of the CNSC licensing decision assess the impact of the proposed activities on the specified species, and the associated mitigation measures, that are part of the SARA permit process," the statement said.

AFNQL in solidarity

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador, which represents 43 First Nations across Quebec and Labrador, is also denouncing the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's decision, saying it goes against the rights of First Nations and environmental protection.

Regional Chief Ghislain Picard echoedthe call for government intervention, and to cancel the project.

"The Algonquins have always made it clear that they have a say and they have interest andthis decision totally goes against previous positions that they have taken," said Picard.

"There's a principle of the traditional territory at play here the impacts of this waste falling into the Ottawa River and the impact might be bigger than just the site itself."

Environment and Climate Change Canada has yet to respond to a request for comment.