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APRIL 22nd, 2008 |
IN THIS ISSUE: |
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1)
MESSAGE FROM BOB LOVELACE Donna Dillman had an opportunity to speak to Bob yesterday on the eve of the Ottawa Inquiry. This is Donna's report. April 21, 11:15 a.m. Bob would like us to think about the River. He says, "It is too precious to waste on vanity. What has happened, and is happening, crosses a lot of boundaries. Human rights, Native rights, environmental, Artie's trap line, the river, they all have a part in this. We must bring our own talents to bear; keep working hard; know that we are in the right and on the right path, educating ourselves, and each other and working hard for the good." What is happening with the Inquiry and all that is being done is "wonderful." "I'm absolutely impressed by the momentum, and the civilized way that it is being done. We are going to win this," he says and spoke to how much he appreciated the support he is, personally, receiving; the letters, the rallies, the fast, the many supporters doing so much, and the fact that he remains in our thoughts and prayers. He encouraged us to, "Please keep up the good work; keep the pressure on." Bob reports that he is doing well and that his position in regard to the drills and the river remains clear and focussed. It was my great pleasure to speak to him by phone and I am humbled by his clarity and deep peace. Mireille LaPointe will present for Bob, in his absence, at the Inquiry tomorrow evening. Donna Dillman 2) PRESS CONFERENCE: CANADIAN PHYSICIAN'S GROUP RELEASES STUDY SHOWING PUBLIC HEALTH DANGERS OF URANIUM MINING To see photos
of this event taken by Garth Gullekson, go to,
Physicians for Global Survival calls for moratorium on uranium mining in Ontario and Quebec Ottawa-April 21, 2008 Physicians for Global Survival (PGS) is, the Canadian affiliate of IPPNW. IPPNW-International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, the winner of the 1985 Nobel Peace prize, recently held their international meeting in New Delhi, India. I am reporting on the plenary presentation, a medical study of the impact of uranium mining on the public health of the local population. The Jadugoda Uranium Study is vitally important to alert us to the environmental dangers of the plans for uranium mining here in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. (Editor's Note: If you would like to read about the Jadugoda Uranium Study go to our website and click on the Uranium Science tab.-LD) As the North American vice-president of IPPNW and an associate of the McGill Cancer Prevention Unit of McGill University and associate professor of family medicine and palliative care, I feel compelled to share these research findings to the media so that the true eco-toxic environmental hazards of exploration and mining of uranium can be better understood and hopefully prevented. The startling research data on increases in cancer deaths, birth defects and premature death in the Jadugoda study group is statistically significant epidemiologically. The scientific evidence over the last 50 years shows that radio isotopes released in uranium mining tailings are some of the most toxic elements known to man. Micrograms inhaled into the lung guarantee increased incidents of lung cancer. Exposure to low dose ionizing radiation as internal emitters, not only cause cancer, but also have serious teratogenic and mutagenic effects on the population exposed. It is sa tragedy that Canadian health and regulating agencies have not done population studies in places like Elliot Lake and Port Hope, to prove no harm as compared to the Jadugoda Uranium Study. With the recent lowering of Canadian radon gas standards, these studies are even more timely and vitally important to public health. PGS recommends a permanent moratorium on uranium exploration and mining in the Ottawa River watershed, to protect this source of water for now and future generations. This is a view shared by the Ottawa City Council. In fact, Dr. David Salisbury, Ottawa's Chief Health Officer, said "mining in Sharbot Lake could pose a health hazard to Ottawa" (February 7, 2008) The College of Family Physicians of Ontario, numerous NGO and citizens groups, including fifteen municipalities in the area, urge for a moratorium on uranium mining. This has recently been done in the Grand Canyon water shed by the Colorado Medical Association who called for a state wide moratorium of uranium mining, to protect their aquifers. The Canadian government should do the same and protect the health of millions living in the region. What better time than the day before Earth Day to express these concerns to protect the fragile ecosystem for generations to come. Following the press conference in April 21st, a Citizens' Inquiry into Uranium Mining is planned for April 22, 2008 in Ottawa. Keynote Speakers included: Michael Dworkind MD: representing Physicians for Global Survival. Michael is an associate professor of Family Medicine at McGill University and president Elect of Physicians for Global Survival (Canada). Scott Findlay, PhD: a board member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. He is currently the director of the Institute of the Environment at Ottawa University and visiting scientist at the Centre for Cancer Therapeutics at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Lorraine Rekmans: is a member of the Serpent River Nation and has co-edited a book on the impact of uranium mining on her community in the Elliot Lake region. Faye More: is a resident of Port Hope and Chair of the port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee. This committee is focused on possible health effects from decades of exposure to uranium in their community. Darlene Buckingham and Shawn Arscott: are residents in Haliburton County. Their community is threatened by an open pit uranium mine and are currently dealing with the aftermath of four decommissioned uranium mines. Linda Harvey: a retired physician living near Sharbot Lake and a member of Physicians for Global Survival, has been instrumental in alerting the public health community about uranium mining. (Editor's note: Thank you Linda for all your hard work in our community!-LD.) 3) ARTICLE: STEPHEN LEWIS, MARGARET ATWOOD PLEA TO FREE JAILED ONT. PROTESTERS April 21, 2008 | 12:58 PM The Canadian Press Author Margaret Atwood, actor Cathy Jones and musician Sarah Harmer are among 20 prominent Canadians calling on Premier Dalton McGuinty to immediately free seven jailed aboriginal leaders and stop controversial mineral exploration across the province. In a letter being sent to McGuinty on Tuesday, the group - which also includes former UN ambassador Stephen Lewis - pleads the case of jailed aboriginals trying to stop mining in their traditional northern territory, and says mining shouldn't take precedence over people's homes and health. Six members of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation, including Chief Donny Morris and Deputy Chief Jack MacKay, were sentenced to six months in jail last December after ignoring an injunction allowing Platinex to start drilling on traditional aboriginal territory 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont. Retired Algonquin chief Bob Lovelace was also sentenced to six months in jail for his role in opposing a uranium project in eastern Ontario. "We support the right of a community to say 'no' to mineral exploration and mining projects that threaten the health of people and ecosystems in Ontario," states the letter, which also notes a grandmother will spend her 60th birthday behind bars for protesting mineral exploration on her traditional land. "These are fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, grandfathers and grandmothers." To read more of this article go to, http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/04/21/ot-celebrities-protest- 4) BENEFIT IN SUPPORT OF SHAWN BRANT AND SHABOT OBAADJIWAN ALGONQUIN FOLK URANIUM AND FREE POLITICAL PRISONERS 6PM, Monday,
April 28, 2008 $10-$50,
Sliding Scale (no one turned away) Dinner included. Come fill
up your stomachs, rock out with local folksters, and show solidarity for
Indigenous land claims and political justice all-in-one spectacular weekday
evening at the Green Door with the Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement
- Ottawa (IPSMO) and Books to Prisoners - Ottawa! Proceeds go directly
to the Shabot Obadijwan Algonquin and Shawn Brant legal defence funds. 5) INQUIRY SUBMISSION: BRUCE MOORE, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAND COALITION, ROME Testimony
to The Citizens Inquiry into the Impacts of the Uranium Cycle 18 April 2008 Let me begin by congratulating the civic minded teams of people for their diligence in promoting an open and transparent public examination of the impacts of the uranium cycle. This inquiry is an example of democracy at its best - it is citizens, using evidence they have gathered, to call on their elected officials to represent, defend and further the public good. I am pleased to bring the views of the International Land Coalition before this inquiry. You should know that the International Land Coalition is an alliance of United Nations Organisations, the World Bank, the European Commission, civil society organisations, researchers and academics who are working together in over 50 countries to support secure and equitable access to natural resources, especially land. The International Land Coalition is the major global convenor on land policies based on being an international knowledge network on land issues. On the surface, global demand for minerals, is rich with promises of jobs for workers and bull markets for investors. However, the story below the surface is different. Worldwide, growing numbers of local land owners and indigenous peoples are loosing their land and resource rights to the powerful forces of international mining, energy and forestry, frequently under outdated legislation or the "questionable" granting of concessions to extractive industries. These situations are not confined to developing economies, as illustrated by a preliminary review of the uranium inquiry in south eastern Ontario by the International Land Coalition. Frontenac Ventures, using the information available to our coalition, bases its position on four factors; namely: (i) the law provides them with sub-surface rights; (ii) a uranium mine will contribute to economic growth; (iii) today's mining practices are safe; and, (iv) nuclear power is carbon free, thus offsetting the risks of climate change. The Canadian case, based on a law from the 1800s, raises the same question that has come to the surface in resource conflicts elsewhere. Is the law legitimate? Cases, involving laws as old as in this case, raise fundamental issues of legitimacy versus legality. A legitimacy versus legality approach to public policy, places responsibility on governments to harmonize old laws with the new, both within and across ministries. Governments are expected to ensure that their laws are both coherent within their jurisdiction and consistent with international agreements to which they are a party. Based on international standards, further inquiry into this Canadian case is likely to reveal that the 19th century mining law is at best in need of reform to bring it into compliance with related federal and provincial laws of the 21st century. And, it appears, again from the available information, that it is more likely to be found in need of "zero-based" re-development. Around the world, legislative reform of the natural resource sector is undergoing rapid reform in respect to environmental protection, nuclear safety, and the downstream natural resource and watershed effects, resulting from chemical leaching, including mining residues. Canada requires environmental impact studies as a pre-condition to providing international assistance abroad. It follows that Canada, should follow its own example at home - in this case by suspending prospecting pending a full legislative, regulatory and juridical review of this situation and the establishment of forward looking laws to govern resource prospecting and extraction. It is on the public record that Canadian mining companies have flawed international reputations that continue today from the concerns in the 1970s and earlier. In this Canadian situation, communities may become divided over the economic promise of mining. However, experience elsewhere has shown that community division is often rooted in misinformation or lack of empirical evidence. Studies have shown that mining generally results in only low levels of employment due to its highly technical nature. The real increase in jobs is not where the mine is located but where the minerals are used. Road building and infrastructure are one time investments and trucking generates few jobs. On-site jobs can quickly disappear due to the high price volatility of minerals. In the context of mining in Canada, a 2001 study found that taxpayers subsidised the mining industry by $ 13,095 per job created, funds that could stimulate more promising and lasting local opportunities that are free of environmental and health risks. Mining is not neutral, it affects the entire territory. Mining on average takes 20 years to come on stream and may be postponed or cancelled if mineral values change or competition from richer deposits or lower labour costs makes other mining locations more attractive. For these twenty years other opportunities are likely to suffer. In a highly valued recreational area with a strong property market, as in the case of this eastern Ontario region of Canada, property values are likely to decline thus lowering the tax base. The current and growing number of full-time residents, seasonal property owners and vacationers has been progressively expanding the local economy for over twenty-five years. There are strong indicators for this growth to continue. The possibility of uranium cycle development puts this known and environmentally safe future at risk. Globally, governments are increasingly basing their policies and actions on the principles of free, prior and informed consent. To an outside organisation, the current failure by the Ontario and Federal government to engage with this growing network of concerned citizens is a sad statement on government accountability. This citizens inquiry is a further attempt to put the resource rights of citizens above those of corporations. It is to be hoped that the government will soon declare its position. Thank you for considering this testimony from the International Land Coalition. If we can further assist you in the challenges that this situation presents, please contact me. International
Land Coalition at United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development 6) ARTICLE: LET'S BE CLEAR-NUCLEAR POWER IS NOT A SOLUTION By Lorraine A. Rekmans There has been much discussion about a "nuclear renaissance" lately and some are saying that nuclear energy is clean and could provide a solution to reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions. I would like to correct the misinformation that is being perpetuated by the nuclear industry. We need to consider a number of things when we hear proposals like this. For example, we need to calculate the carbon emissions expended and the human and environmental sacrifices made in the mining, milling and transport of uranium. First and
foremost we must realize that the advertising we see about nuclear energy
is just in fact that. It is advertising and lobbying by an industry that
generates profits from the sale of nuclear technologies. The Canadian
Nuclear Association (CNA) is a non-profit organization established in
1960 to represent the nuclear industry in Canada and promote the development
and growth of nuclear technologies. This is the organization that has
developed the advertising campaign which tells us we need to get "clear
about nuclear." We must make distinctions between industry and policy makers. I would suggest that we need to accept responsibility for developing energy policy ourselves and not have it dictated to us by the nuclear industry. We do have the power to choose where and how our energy is produced. We are indeed the producers and consumers of energy. The fact of the matter is that many people have actually died from mining uranium and the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) allows claims for death and disease caused by uranium mining. It is a well established fact that miners who worked underground in uranium mines, despite increased safety regulations and enhanced ventilation systems had increased cancers as a result of exposure to radioactive and other contaminants. There is hardly anything clean and safe about this end of the nuclear chain. Please be clear that this industry and activity is indeed a chain as we can see no end of it in sight, given that we still have no acceptable method of disposing of the highly radioactive spent fuel rods from the nuclear reactors, and we still have the extreme challenges of managing all the weapons grade plutonium available on the planet. The industry leaves in its wake environmental destruction, death and disease. I am disappointed that the CNA will not acknowledge the human and environmental costs of the uranium industry. We cannot allow the spin doctors to confuse us about uranium and nuclear. The nuclear industry relies on uranium. Uranium is dug out of the ground and produces tons of tailings which are usually disposed of in existing lakes. The removal of one ton of earth in order to extract one pound of uranium leaves an enormous ecological footprint on the earth. For every pound of ore that is removed one ton of tailings is produced. If we look at Pele Mountain's proposal there is a suggestion that the average annual uranium production during operation is 826,000 lbs per year in the current plan. If 40% of this is extracted by traditional underground mining methods then we could guess that we could end up with close to half a million tons of tailings in the first year alone. The proposal is to mine for 20 years. The current method of tailings disposal is unchanged from what happened historically at Elliot Lake. Tailings were disposed of in lakes which were near the mining and milling operations. This is current and regulated practice. It is sanctioned and regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the agency which licenses and monitors the nuclear industry. This disposal method results in the loss of a lake. This is a huge environmental cost that will be borne by future generations who will have lost the use of that lake and its surrounding area. A lake full of uranium mill tailings is unclean, let's be clear about that. Tailings disposal into lakes does impact on existing watersheds, and results in the migration of radioactive particulates into vegetation and wildlife and groundwater. We must remember that the nuclear industry is just over 60 years old. Scientific monitoring of tailings disposal into lakes has been ongoing for only a short period of time given the fact that this material will remain radioactive for thousands of years. The full impact cannot readily be fathomed based on the information we have to date. In terms of the reliability of nuclear energy, I would say that when our ancestors signed the treaties, they recognized the concept of, " as long as the sun shines and the grass grows", which I think is in sharp contrast to the claims made about the reliability of nuclear energy. What I mean is that nuclear energy is not sustainable, as uranium like oil and gas is a non-renewable resource. When we consider solar energy as an alternative, we can be assured that it will be with us as long as the sun shines and the grass grows. In terms of being clean and reliable the nuclear industry cannot make this claim with any moral authority. It is simply false and misleading advertising. As for being affordable, we have to consider that the construction of the Maple 1 and Maple 2 reactors at Chalk River are in fact 10 years behind schedule and $350 million over budget. We have to recognize advertising for what it is. It is a slick and sneaky way to get you to buy something. Lorraine
A. Rekmans |