By Marilyn Crawford

On June 24, 2008, the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium (CCAMU) released the report of the Citizens Inquiry on Uranium at a press conference held at the Queens Park Press Gallery.

The report is called ‘Staking our Claim for a Healthy Future’ - Report of Citizens’ Inquiry into the Impacts of the Uranium Cycle, held in April 2008 in Eastern Ontario.

Marilyn Crawford introduced the panel and gave the background to the report as well as laying out future directions such as the formation of a new province-wide coalition.

John Sewell spoke about the recommendations in the report. Joan Barton, from Environment Haliburton, described the situation in Haliburton where companies are actively exploring for uranium; and John Miller, Families Against Radiation Exposure, described the impacts of mined uranium on the health of the community of Port Hope.

Also present at the press conference were Valarie and Gery Hunnius and Shirley Deterling from Haliburton, Darlene Buckingham and Shawn Arscott of Bancroft, Wolfe Erlichman (CCAMU), Joel Klassen (Christian Peacemaking Teams), Dave Martin (Greenpeace) and a representative from Premier McGuinty’s office.

‘Staking our Claim for a Healthy Future’ is the result of the contribution of volunteers who invested thousands of hours to organize the inquiry and the sessions, 157 presenters and 230 submitted briefs, the seven panel members who played an important role, and the support of individuals and groups who supported the vision of the inquiry to give voice to the unheard communities affected by uranium. The full report can be seen at www.ccamu.ca .

As well as releasing the report, copies were provided to several government ministries, the opposition and the press.

The Citizens’ Inquiry gave people yearning to serve a chance to contribute, to participate, and to get involved. The inquiry helped people to learn from others, to find common ground, and to be positive about the kinds of changes needed in public policy -- changes that need to be brought to the attention of decision-makers.

Prospecting for uranium in the Sharbot Lake area of Eastern Ontario, and the possible startup of mining uranium in the region are issues that raise troubling questions for the local First Nations and residents. The mining of uranium raises significant health concerns, not only for those employed in the mines but for flora and fauna and the hundreds of thousands of residents in the affected watersheds, including residents of the city of Ottawa.

These issues have been the subject of considerable community concern and action. In response, the Community Coalition Against Uranium Mining (CCAMU) organized the Citizens’ Inquiry into the Impacts of the Uranium Cycle, which convened a series of public hearings in April 2008.

Consolidation of recommendations in this report

1) On an interim basis, the provincial government enact a new policy or law stating that a prospector may not enter on First Nations land or privately owned land and prospect or stake out that land without the signed consent, freely given, of the owner(s) of that land.

2) The province undertake a broad public review through a body such as a royal commission into the Mining Act, including mining and prospecting provisions in other jurisdictions; methods to make the Act relevant to today’s society; its relationship with other legislation and policies including those related to environmental protection and to municipalities. That this review be open, transparent, and accountable, and led by individuals who can evoke public trust. And from the report of this body the province enact new laws and policies for the new century to better serve public and private interests in Ontario.

3) The provincial government contract for and fund several definitive independent professional studies of residents in places where uranium has been processed, such as Port Hope, Blind River, and Chalk River, to determine the actual impacts of uranium of human health.

4) Since new nuclear power plants will not be in operation until 2018 at the soonest and the shortage of electricity is projected to occur by 2013, and because of their negative impacts, the province not proceed with plans for new nuclear power plants.

5) The province undertake a broad public review that is transparent and accountable, led by individuals who evoke public trust, through a body such as a royal commission into the alternatives to the use of uranium for medical purposes, particularly radioisotopes.

6) The $40 billion allocated to new nuclear plants be reallocated to reducing energy use, expanding sustainable sources of energy, and instituting a transition fund for those employed in and living in the communities relying on nuclear power. And that Ontario’s existing nuclear power plants be phased out as alternative energy sources become available.

7) The Ontario government enact a law declaring a moratorium on the prospecting and mining of uranium in Ontario in order to permit alternatives to be explored for the use of uranium as noted in recommendation 4, and so the province may indicate its good faith and proceed with dispatch to achieve reconciliation of claims to land rights with First Nations in areas where there are uranium ore deposits.

8) The province forthwith begin discussions with the federal government to ensure that the recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions respecting discussions and negotiations with First Nations are incorporated into proactive operating practice by the relevant officials of both governments.

This report sets the background to the inquiry and explains why these recommendations are not only reasonable and important, but also need to be proceeded with immediately. Appendices to the report provide further detail about the hearings, the presenters, and a list of key events in the past twenty months.