Kincardine council receives update on Bruce “C” assessment process

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) made a joint presentation to Kincardine council at the meeting Wednesday night (Oct. 9).

Isabelle Turcotte of the IAAC and Doug Wylie of the CNSC provided an overview of the federal impact assessment process for the Bruce “C” project which proposes to provide up to 4,800 megawatts of new nuclear generating capacity at the Bruce Power site in the Municipality of Kincardine.

Major nuclear projects are subject to an integrated impact assessment led by the IAAC, alongside the CNSC, Canada’s nuclear regulator. An impact assessment is a planning and decision-making tool spanning over multiple years, involving Indigenous, municipal, and public engagement.

Turcotte noted that the Bruce “C” project is currently in the planning phase of the Impact Assessment Act process. Through the process, the IAAC gathers public comments on the proposed project, defines what needs assessment is required, and the ways in which people would prefer to participate.

The assessment, itself, looks at the positive and negative environmental, economic, social, and health impacts of a proposed project. There is also a focus on the potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples and their rights.

“We acknowledge the economic benefits and good jobs that Bruce Power provides to our region, and we’re excited about the future for the site,” said mayor Kenneth Craig, in a press release, issued Thursday. “It’s important for the municipality and the surrounding region to be involved in the planning and preparation for the potential impacts associated with the Bruce ‘C’ project. It’s set to become one of the largest infrastructure projects in Canada in the coming decades.

“We need to fully understand the impacts that this significant project may have on our infrastructure and services, such as roads, recreation, tourism, and agriculture. We also need to be involved in advocating the importance of the province’s support of local health care, education, and housing.”

To learn more about the Bruce “C” project, visit www.brucepower.com/BruceC.

Those wishing to comment on the project may do so through the IAAC website at iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/88771. The deadline for comments has been extended to Oct. 28.