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New citizens’ group forms in support of "Bruce C" A group of local residents have banded together to tell the provincial government that Bruce County is the best place to build Ontario’s next nuclear plant. A group of local businessmen and concerned residents, calling themselves Citizens for Bruce C, launched their campaign on April 28, 2008, calling on their neighbours and business leaders to actively support Bruce Power’s efforts to build Bruce C. “We know the province is considering a few different locations and will make a decision by the end of this year, so the time is now to make our voices heard,” said Dave Trumble, Co-chair of the Citizens for Bruce C and President of the Grey-Bruce Labour Council. Doug Storrey, a Kincardine businessman and Co-chair of Citizens for Bruce C, believes building Bruce C is the way to go. “We have strong community support, an experienced workforce and Bruce Power has shown it can attract private investment. Our goal is to rally community support for Bruce C and let the province know they need not look any further than Bruce County.” Kincardine and area businesses would undoubtedly be big winners if a new build were to take place at Bruce Power, along with the local housing industry. Local municipal tax coffers would also benefit from the influx of workers needing homes in the area from added tax revenue. The group says that a new nuclear facility would have significant economic benefits, according to an analysis conducted by Dr. Harry Kitchen of Trent University. The study says “$584 million will be injected into the local economy every year during construction and another $238 million for each of the 60 years Bruce C would operate.” The campaign has launched a website (www.citizensforbrucec.ca) to illustrate the strengths of the Bruce proposal and will ask supporters from across the region to sign a petition of support. That petition, along with other personal letters, will be sent to provincial policy makers this spring. Advertisements will also be placed in local papers and radio stations over the next several weeks to raise awareness. “Bruce County has a strong tradition of being a leader in Canada’s nuclear industry and today we begin a campaign to secure the next generation of opportunity and investment,” said Doug Mullaly, President of the Bruce Power Pensioners Association and a Co-Chair of the Citizens for Bruce C. Duncan Hawthorne, Bruce Power’s President and Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the group and their efforts. “I’ve always said the understanding and support of our community is our greatest strength,” Hawthorne said. “We are the company we are today because our community and employees have always stood up and fought for this site. If we are to see Bruce C become a reality, we will need to fight again.” |
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