Statement by Ontario NDP Energy, Environment and Climate Change Critic on nuclear safety whistleblower warnings.

Peter Tabuns, Ontario NDP Energy, Environment and Climate Change Critic, issued the following statement regarding nuclear safety whistleblower warnings.

“I am calling on the Premier to call independent review of allegations made by nuclear safety whistleblowers today. This review should be completed by experts with no connection to Ontario’s nuclear industry. 

As of today, the whistleblowers say ‘neither OPG nor the Commission can make an informed decision about the safety of the plant during a refurbishment. Until an independent review is completed, and every step has been taken to ensure the safety of all Ontario’s nuclear reactors, we need to press pause on any work on the Darlington refurbishment.’

Ontarians count on the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to ensure nuclear reactors are being operated as safely as possible, but whistleblowers are calling into question whether the commission was forthcoming about risks to the safe operation of the Darlington and Brucereactors.

The letter also says the safety commission cannot evaluate whether Ontario’s Emergency Response Plan is adequate. 

These are major concerns which cannot be ignored. When it comes to Ontario’s nuclear reactors, we can never be too careful. The Premier needs to do what’s right, and call an independent review today.”