Northern Ont. community votes in favour hosting nuclear waste site

After a consultation process that began in 2010, residents in the Township of Ignace have voted in favour of hosting of a $22 billion nuclear waste site.

After a consultation process that began in 2010, residents in the Township of Ignace have voted in favour of hosting of a $22 billion nuclear waste site.

In an in-person and online vote held in April, 77.3 per cent of residents voted in favour of continuing with the process, with 20.8 per cent voting no.

There were 1,065 people eligible to vote, of whom 640 cast ballots. Yes votes totalled 495, while 133 voted no and 12 people abstained.

The results were announced at a council meeting streamed live Wednesday afternoon, with 100 people watching via Zoom.

Roger Dufault, co-chair of the ad-hoc committee charged with making recommendations on the proposal, said the process was extensive and unbiased.

“The findings are representative of how the community feels,” Dufault said.

He said the committee “concluded community had a chance to be fully engaged in the consultation process.”