Licence renewal for Cameco refinery in Blind River under review

The licence for the uranium refinery in Blind River, Ont., is up for renewal, and some parties, including the nearby Mississauga First Nation, are raising concerns.

On Wednesday, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) held a public hearing on Cameco's application to have its licence renewed for another 10 years. The current licence will expire in February. 

Described by Cameco as the world's largest commercial uranium refinery, the Blind River facility has operated since 1983.

The CNSC received responses from 50 intervenors, eight of which presented during Wednesday's hearing. 

"Cameco and Blind River are growing together, and we hope this will continue for many years to come," said Blind River Mayor Sally Hagman, one of several intervenors who spoke in favour of the licence renewal.

Three intervenors raised concerns, including issues around consultation with a neighbouring First Nation, environmental impacts and allegations that Indigenous graves and artifacts were disturbed when the facility was built.

Mississauga First Nation (MFN) was one of the intervenors. The Blind River Refinery is located less than a kilometre from the First Nation (and is in fact closer to MFN than it is to the town of Blind River.)

MFN representatives brought up issues about health and environmental protection. Core to their concern, they said, is that during its licence renewal process Cameco and CSNC did not fulfil their duty to consult as affirmed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).  

CSNC staff member Adam Levine said the application at hand is about renewing ongoing operations and since staff have assessed that the operations are protective of the environment, workers, and local communities, the duty to consult was not triggered. 

"From our assessment, the ongoing operations will not cause any new adverse impacts to the exercise of rights," Levine said.

Laura Mayer, one of the representatives for MFN, said, however, that "the duty to consult is triggered when Indigenous rights may be potentially impacted. These impacts do not need to be certain. Only that there is a potential for impacts."

Mayer said the duty to consult is an ongoing obligation, not a one-time effort. 

In its presentation during the hearing, Cameco representatives said the company has for years had a positive relationship with MFN and has met with chief and council at least twice a year over the course of the current licensing period. 

Sara Forsey, Cameco's manager of public and government affairs, said changes in leadership at the First Nation have led to a "period of transition," but said the company is committed to working with the community and addressing their concerns.