2010:02PU NUCLEAR POWER: INCLUSION OF RADIOACTIVE EMISSIONS AND WASTE IN THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT RELEASE INVENTORY
Whereas 1
In 1994, National Council of Women of Canada passed a policy urging the Government of Canada to continue to update the Nuclear Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) as needed, and in 2008, urged the Government to ensure that all mining companies report their toxic unsafe pollutants to NPRI; and
Whereas 2
The National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) is Canada’s legislated, publicly-accessible inventory of pollutant releases and transfers, but does not include radioactive substances released or generated as waste by nuclear facilities; and
Whereas 3
Releases of radioactive substances (radionuclides) from nuclear facilities have been assessed and declared “toxic” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) as “entering the environment in quantities or concentrations or under conditions that have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity”; and
Whereas 4
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission either does not make available to the public or does not have an easily accessible way for the public to determine the amounts of radioactive substances being released or generated as waste by facilities in the entire uranium fuel chain (mining, milling, processing, power generation and waste management); and
Whereas 5
Canadians can more easily ensure their health and safety is protected from nuclear releases and waste, if this information is collected and made publicly available through the National Pollutant Release Inventory; therefore be it
Resolved 1
That the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy that radioactive substances released into the environment or generated as waste by nuclear facilities to be included in the National Pollutant Release Inventory; and be it further
Resolved 2
That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to include releases of radioactive substances and waste by nuclear facilities in the National Pollutant Release Inventory.