A spokesperson for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization says the organization will continue to explore the option of a nuclear waste storage facility in Creighton in spite of recent opposition from a local First Nation.
The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has passed a resolution opposing the storage of nuclear waste in or around its communities, lands or traditional territories.
Mike Krizanc is adamant that the NWMO would never move ahead with a nuclear waste storage facility in Creighton unless all local stakeholders are on board — including PBCN.
“The project will not move forward without a partnership between an informed host, Aboriginal people in the area and the surrounding communities,” he says.
However, Krizanc says the project remains in a “learning phase” at this point and it is important the NWMO try to engage the First Nation as much as possible.
“I can tell you that the PBCN has indicated an interest in learning — and in fact, there will be a visit next week by a small delegation from PBCN to a waste management facility in Ontario and they will be participating in a learn more briefing.”
Creighton is the only Saskatchewan community the NWMO is currently exploring as a potential nuclear waste storage site.
The organization had also previously considered Pinehouse and the English River First Nation, but both have since been ruled out.