Greenpeace Executive Director Bruce Cox said, "Uranium mining
and the McGuinty government's $40 billion nuclear power program
need to be key issues in the October 10 provincial election."
"The entire nuclear fuel chain is an environmental disaster from
mining uranium to storing radioactive waste. Ontario doesn't need
nuclear power or uranium mining - we can meet our power needs
through conservation, renewable energy, and local generation."
Thirty thousand acres have been staked for uranium exploration
near Sharbot Lake; an area that is subject to a land claim by
Algonquin peoples. The land was never ceded to the crown. The First
Nations have blocked access to the site since June. The Community
Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) and friends, appreciate
the time that this has allowed to bring about a moratorium on
uranium exploration and changes to the mining act.
In July, a $77 million lawsuit was launched by the mining
company against the First Nations, seeking a court order for their
removal. Last week, an injunction was issued by the Ontario Supreme
Court, ordering the first nations and their supporters to leave the
property, and subjecting them to arrest for failing to obey the
order.
"Past uranium mining in Ontario left a deadly legacy of 200
million tonnes of toxic tailings in the Elliott Lake and Bancroft
areas," said Dave Martin, energy coordinator of Greenpeace Canada.
"Ontario's uranium should be left in the ground. There are many
environmental, safety and economic reasons to oppose both uranium
mining and nuclear power."
"Our opposition to uranium exploration and mining is based on
health concerns as well as our inherent responsibility to protect
the land", said Co-Chief Paula Sherman of the Ardoch Algonquin
First Nation. Mitchell Shewell, member of the Ardoch heads of
family, stated, "It is our cultural responsibility to protect
Mother Earth and our younger brothers."
"We are calling for Premier McGuinty to enact an immediate
moratorium on uranium exploration and mining in Ontario, following
the existing precedent in Nova Scotia", said John Kittle,
spokesperson for CCAMU.
The Arctic Sunrise is in Kingston and will be open for free
public tours on Saturday, 8 September from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00
p.m..
For more information:
Bruce Cox, Greenpeace executive director, 416-419-7341
Dave Martin, Greenpeace energy co-ordinator, 416-627-5004
Paula Sherman, Co-Chief, Ardoch Algonquin First Nation,
613-279-1327
John Kittle, spokesperson, Community Coalition Against Mining
Uranium (CCAMU), 613-278-1007
Jane Story, Greenpeace communications officer, 416-930-9055