The Chalk River Laboratories, operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), discharge potentially radioactive contaminants into the Ottawa River watershed.
Published at 4:20 p.m.
This is what is denounced in an open letter from the Kebaowek First Nation, which requests the intervention of Environment Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in this matter.
The Ontario plant, operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), discharges non-compliant effluent into the Ottawa River, “a vital Source of drinking water for communities in Ontario and Quebec,” the letter states. .
However, the public has still not been informed of the nature of the contaminants, to what extent they exceed limits and whether they are radioactive.
“The discharge of non-compliant effluent into this watershed poses risks to the health and integrity of the river’s ecosystems,” writes Kebaowek First Nation Chief Lance Haymond, with the support of five MPs and researchers.
No concrete action
On April 24, a bulletin published by LNC confirmed that the effluent from the sanitary wastewater treatment plant does not comply with regulatory requirements. News that Lance Haymond considers “disturbing, given the delicate environmental context of the Ottawa River watershed, which is of fundamental spiritual and cultural importance to our communities.”
CNL first discovered the non-compliance at Chalk River Laboratories last February, according to the open letter, but no action has been taken since to clarify or resolve the situation.
The Kebaowek First Nation requests in particular that Environment Canada and CNL conduct “rigorous investigations to determine and reveal the root causes and extent of the non-compliance, and identify corrective measures. »
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