LETTER

Ottawa River nuclear waste flotilla protest 

The Chalk River nuclear waste flotilla protest on the Ottawa River in July got very good support and media coverage (and) has inspired a follow-up flotilla to be held on Westboro Beach, Ottawa, on Thursday, September 5 at 10:30 am. 

Everyone is invited. We need people to sit in canoes and stand on the beach holding paddles and signs. Please let me know if you would like to stand on the beach, sit in a canoe, or bring your own boat. There is free parking at Westboro Beach.

This will be a small flotilla ... to highlight concerns about Chalk River nuclear waste and irresponsible disposal plans that threaten the Ottawa River. The event will be hosted by the Ottawa Centre Greens.  Speakers will include Green Party candidates.

We will highlight the fact that both the Liberals and Conservatives have abdicated responsibility for an $8 billion federal nuclear waste legacy -- and have handed control to a multinational consortium (including SNC-Lavalin) that is proposing cheap facilities that flout international safety guidelines.

Part of the message will be that responsible management of Canada’s federally owned nuclear wastes  — in carefully sited facilities, using reliable technology that complies with international safety standards — will protect the river and our drinking water, provide peace of mind, protect property values, stimulate the local economy and provide well paying careers in nuclear waste management for many years to come. If you plan to attend, please   visit our website (www.concernedcitizens.net), or contact me, phone or text, at 613-293-6065.

Lynn Jones, 

Concerned Citizens

Renfrew/Ottawa