By paNOW Staff

Saskatchewan group marches against nuclear waste

Jul 26, 2011 | 9:14 AM

A group from northern Saskatchewan will begin an 800-kilometre journey on foot Wednesday from Pinehouse to the legislature in Regina.

The Committee for Future Generations is against the storage of nuclear waste in the province's north and has organized a walk and petition to stop the idea in its tracks.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is considering locations to store nuclear waste in Canada. Three communities in Saskatchewan – Pinehouse, English River First Nation and Creighton have expressed interest for the economic benefits such a project would bring.

It would be a “death sentence” if the plan went through, said Max Morin, the committee's president and Pinehouse resident.

“It’s just a bad idea. The committee formed out of concern for future generations and for our water,” said Morin, who explained the proposal by the NWMO calls for a repository sunk 500 metres into the ground.

Community support

The Hunger Games return to Prince Albert

1h ago

Raiders win 5-3

Defensive scoring leads Raiders over Wheat Kings

9h ago

GST Holiday

Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins

Dec 14, 2024

Premier Brad Wall has said that Saskatchewan is not considering storing nuclear waste at this time.

But Morin wants to see it in writing. The committee plans to deliver a petition to Premier Wall when they arrive in Regina on Aug. 16.

“We’d like the legislature to legislate a (province)-wide ban on nuclear waste storage in Saskatchewan,” he said.

They already have thousands of signatures and hope to get 100 more for ever kilometre they walk, Morin said.

August 2 is when the walk reaches Prince Albert. On August 3 the walkers and supporters will gather at 9:30 a.m. at the Food ‘N Fuel in Nordale and walk to City Hall where they will hold an event from 12:00-2:00 p.m.  A social, featuring Leonard Adam, Violet Naytowhow and Liza Brown, will take place at the Union Centre at 7:00 p.m.

The walk will continue the following day along Highway 11 making stops at Batoche, Duck Lake and Saskatoon before finishing in Regina.

news@panow.com