The Ontario government is providing an estimated hundreds of millions in support for pre-development work of planned expansion of Bruce Power.
In Etobicoke on Thursday, Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce announced that the government has directed the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to enter into a cost-sharing and recovery agreement, for pre-development work including community engagement, workforce planning, and site preparation planning.
“At a time when our economy faces threats from abroad, Ontario’s government is doubling down on made-in-Canada nuclear power,” Lecce said. “The Bruce C project will advance generational employment creating 18,900 net-new jobs per year transforming Bruce Power into the world’s largest nuclear generating facility."
A statement from the province estimated these activities are expected to cost $300 million and be completed by 2030.
Bruce Power currently operates two generating stations – Bruce A and B – powering eight total reactors. The Bruce C expansion would bring another four reactors to the Tiverton site, adding the potential to add another 4,800 megawatt (MW) generating station.
The company says this pre-development work is proceeding in parallel with a federal integrated Impact Assessment and Licence to Prepare Site application led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). The Project is currently in the Impact Statement phase of this process which includes engagement with the public, municipal governments, and Indigenous communities.
The timing of this announcement was notable, as on Wednesday, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Joint Chiefs and Councils issued a statement saying that both governments and Bruce Power had not committed to honouring their right to free, prior, and informed consent.
"This is a serious concern. The decisions of our People need to be honoured," read the statement. "SON Leadership is working to hold Bruce Power accountable to this standard before the project moves forward."
Thursday's media release from Bruce Power said it continues to engage with SON to earn the support of the community and that the funding announcement will support research and engagement on issues of importance to SON.
"Advancing early planning for Bruce C allows us to responsibly explore how additional nuclear generation on the Bruce site can play a crucial role in supporting Ontario’s longterm energy needs and drive economic stability and growth," said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President. "This work is about taking the right steps in gathering information, engaging meaningfully with Indigenous communities and municipalities, and ensuring that any future decisions have been well thought out and carefully scrutinized."
Bruce Power has already entered into agreements with the Municipality of Kincardine, the Town of Saugeen Shores, and the County of Bruce to provide annual funding to support assessment work.
