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Mohawk communities protest nuclear shipments

Native communities along the St. Lawrence River vow to stop Bruce Power

Mohawk communities along the St. Lawrence River have joined environmental groups in attempting to stop the shipment of nuclear waste along their traditional waterways. Bruce Power is planning to ship 16 decommissioned nuclear steam generators to Sweden for recycling after the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved their request. Mohawks from the communities of Kahnawake, Tyendenaga and Akwesasne have joined the Canadian Enironmental Law Association and Sierra Club Canada in calling for a full environmental assessment before the waste is allowed to be shipped along the St. Lawrence Seaway. “We’re prepared to do whatever’s necessary in the coming months to stop this,” said Kahnawake Grand Chief Mike Delisle, “first and foremost we are going to take legal action and stand with our white brothers and sisters who have opposed this through the court system.” Delisle referred to 3 shipping accidents within the last ten years to justify Mohawk concerns. “This, frankly, has received a lot more attention than the content of what we’re doing warrents,” said Bruce Power CEO Duncan Hawthorne, calling opponents “the people who act as though Chernobyl was yesterday.”

CBC News

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