Anti-nuclear movement in Canada

Uranium mining and export, and nuclear issues, have at times been the subject of public debate in Canada, and many different anti-nuclear groups have been involved.

Algonquin tribe

Members of the Algonquin tribe have been peacefully blockading a uranium mining operation on their sacred lands north of Kingston, Ontario since June 29, 2007. [ [http://www.aafna.ca/protest_update.html Algonquin Alliance Protest Update] ]

Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout

The Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout (CNP) represents a coalition of Canadian public interest organizations concerned with the environmental impacts of nuclear power generation. CNP's mandate is supported by over 300 public interest groups from across Canada. [ [http://www.cnp.ca/main/ Campaign for nuclear phaseout] ]

In 2003, Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout commissioned the report "Phasing Out Nuclear Power in Canada", which outlined a possible scenario where the central coal and nuclear plants in Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick could be phased out as they reach the end of their operational lifespan, to be replaced with a combination of more efficient energy use, expansion of combined heat and power technology, and deployment of renewable energy and distributed sources of power generation. [ [http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/atmosphere-energy/nuclear-free/phasing-out-nuclear.pdf Phasing Out Nuclear Power in Canada] ]

Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility

CCNR is a non-profit organization, federally incorporated since 1978. It conducts education and research on issues related to nuclear energy, whether civilian or military (including non-nuclear alternatives), especially those pertaining to Canada. [ [http://www.ccnr.org/ Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility] ]

Greenpeace Canada

Greenpeace Canada argues that nuclear power is an unacceptable risk to the environment and to humanity, and that the only solution is to halt the expansion of all nuclear power and to shutdown existing plants. Greenpeace Canada believes we need an energy system that can combat climate change, based on renewable energy and energy efficiency. [ [http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/end-the-nuclear-threat End the nuclear threat] ] [ [http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/press/press-releases?related_item_id=582955 Press releases] ]

Energy Probe

Energy Probe is a consumer and environmental research team, which is opposed to nuclear power, and dedicated to resource conservation, economic efficiency, and effective utility regulation. [ [http://www.energyprobe.org/energyprobe/index.cfm?DSP=subcontent&AreaID=13 Current Priorities] ]

Energy Quest 4 Nanticoke

Energy Quest 4 Nanticoke was formed to ensure citizens have a democratic say in our energy future. To raise awareness on energy options for the Ontario regions of Haldimand/Norfolk/Brant/Hamilton, as the county council's of Norfolk and Haldimand endorsed an Environmental Assessment on a nuclear reactor at Nanticoke without meaningful public debate on the risks and benefits of a nuclear station at Nanticoke. It will be the residents of Grand Erie that take on the risks of a nuclear power plant at Nanticoke. The safety, financial and environmental risks as well as the long term management of nuclear waste have not been debated, clarified and/or agreed to by our communities. [ [http://www.energyquest4nanticoke.ca Grand Erie Energy Quest] ]

Nuclear Free Great Lakes Campaign

The Nuclear Free Great Lakes Campaign consists of eight safe-energy organizations from Canada and the United States dedicated to the cessation of radioactive contamination of the Great Lakes Basin, and the removal of nuclear power from the area. [ [http://www.neis.org/literature/Reports&Testimonies/IJC%20Testimony%209-24-99.htm Comments of the Nuclear Free Great Lakes Campaign] ]

Pembina Institute

The Pembina Institute is a Canadian not-for-profit environmental policy research and education organization specializing in the fields of sustainable energy, community sustainability, global warming and corporate environmental management. Founded in 1985, the Institute has offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto. In 2006 the Institute released the report "Nuclear Power in Canada: An Examination of Risks, Impacts and Sustainability". [ [http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/Nuclear_web.pdf Nuclear Power in Canada] ] [ [http://www.pembina.org/about/mission The Pembina Institute] ]

ierra Club of Canada

The Sierra Club of Canada has been active in Canada since 1963 and a national office was established in Ottawa in 1989. There are active chapters in every region of Canada, with offices in Ottawa, Victoria, Sydney, Corner Brook, Halifax, Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto. [ [http://www.sierraclub.ca/ Welcome to the Sierra Club of Canada!] ] The Sierra Club contends that despite over 50-years of development and government support in Canada, nuclear power continues to be plagued by cost overruns, technical problems, accidents and the ongoing difficulty of how to manage high-level nuclear waste. [ [http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/programs/atmosphere-energy/nuclear-free/index.shtml Towards a Nuclear-Free Canada] ]

ee also

*Energy policy of Canada
*Gordon Edwards
*List of anti-nuclear groups
*List of Canadian nuclear facilities
*Maisie Shiell
*Nuclear power in Canada
*Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
*Renewable energy commercialization
*Sustainable Development Strategy in Canada
*Gerald W. Brown
*Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

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References

Further reading

*Harding, Jim (2007). "Canada's Deadly Secret: Saskatchewan Uranium and the Global Nuclear System".
*Mehta, M.D. (2005). "Risky Business: Nuclear Power and Public Protest in Canada". Lanham, MD: Lexington.
*Pembina Institute (2007). [http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/ClearingThAir_Summary_final.pdf "Clearing the Air About Nuclear Power"]
*Pembina Institute (2007). [http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/ClearingAir_UraniumMining.pdf "Uranium Mining: Nuclear Power’s Dirty Secret"]

External links

* [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v387/n6635/full/387747a0.html Tritium leak protests prompt Canada to suspend discharges]
* [http://www.cnp.ca/media/no-plutonium-day-03-98.html Canadians join international plutonium protest]
* [http://www.energyquest4nanticoke.ca/found.htm High levels of radioactive tritium found in Pembroke landfill]
* [http://www.energyquest4nanticoke.ca/funds.htm The Ethical Funds Company says that Nuclear Power is Too Risky]
* [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=aZi2LsM6M7mg&refer=canada Canada's Nuclear Watchdog Says Minister Meddling, Globe Reports]
* [http://www.businessedge.ca/article.cfm/newsID/17066.cfm Anti-nuclear activists begin battle for minds of Albertans]
* [http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gcgVXHv3kuJmRKJch5_jwBKsCmng New government considers options for Saskatchewan's nuclear future]
* [http://technology.newscientist.com/article/mg19726403.000-sacking-of-nuclear-official-prompts-row.html Sacking of nuclear official prompts row]
* [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080425.BCFLASHBACK25/TPStory/National Crowd on cruise control]
* [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080425.RURANIUM25/TPStory/Business B.C. shuts door on uranium projects]
* [http://www.fairviewpost.com/News/406135.html NFU rejects nuclear outright]
* [http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/arts/story.html?id=4f5bcd27-2728-4efd-8a38-ea00b9ab1955 Nuclear industry spins new mythology]
* [http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/business/story.html?id=de5eb027-af65-4f3f-b9b0-bd7eb0f2b622 Retired professor warns against pursuing nuclear power]
* [http://www.nirs.org/mononline/nm672.pdf Canada: Ban on uranium mining in British Columbia]
* [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2007/11/19/nuclear-demo.html Nuclear protest convoy dumps on Alberta reactor]