DURHAM — Two women dressed as elephants at a public meeting on nuclear safety Tuesday were escorted out of the Pickering Recreation Complex by Durham police.
The costumed elephants attended the meeting to symbolize “elephants in the room” when it comes to nuclear safety
But members of the public criticized the nuclear watchdog Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for calling police to have the women removed.
Meeting attendee Mike Borie called it a “completely unnecessary and an undemocratic action.”
“The ‘elephants’ in no way caused any disruption to the meeting proceedings,” he said.
Although only one costumed elephant was in the meeting room when police arrived, the second was also walked out of the building.
Durham Regional Police spokesperson Ashling Murphy confirmed the CNSC called police and said two people dressed as elephants were causing a disturbance. The pair left without incident when asked to leave.
Janet McNeill, one of the costumed women, is a member of Durham Nuclear Awareness. After being walked out, she said she dressed up because “we feel there are a lot of elephants in the room about the Pickering plant and the fact it’s asking to be extended.
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“It seems as though you’re not supposed to speak about it,” she said.
“We were actually being very quiet and respectful in the back of the room. I actually wasn’t making any noise at all, I just stood there listening, but we’ve been asked to leave. So I just hope we’ve created awareness. That’s what we wanted to do.”
Nathalie Skov, a CNSC regulatory policy officer, said a fellow staff member called the watchdog’s own security office to ask what to do, and a second staff member called the police.
When asked in the question-and-answer portion of the meeting why the CNSC called police, one of the staff members noted the costumes were distracting when she made her presentation.
The CNSC 101 session was meant to introduce members of the public to the CNSC and its work to ensure Canadian nuclear facilities and activities are safe. The meeting also provided information on how to participate in the licensing process.
The session was in advance of Ontario Power Generation’s request for a licence extension for the Pickering Waste Management Facility. The 10-year licence is set to expire in March 2018. OPG is also seeking the addition of waste buildings on the Pickering site. The CNSC will hold a public hearing in Ottawa in April to consider the application.
The OPG is also seeking a licence extension to 2024 to operate the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station itself beyond its expiry date of 2018. A hearing will be held at a later date.
Critics stated concerns that although the CNSC does regular scheduled inspections and testing, it relies on the OPG to report any nuclear mishaps in its own facilities.
McNeill said after the meeting that the fact the CNSC gets funding from the nuclear industry leaves her feeling skeptical the CNSC would actually want to see Pickering close.
CNSC staff noted the watchdog is an independent commission that reports to parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources.
“We will never compromise safety,” Scov said. “That is our main objective.”
DNA and the Ontario Clean Air Alliance both distributed pamphlets spotlighting their concerns about the extended operation of the Pickering plant.
DNA’s literature noted Pickering routinely releases radioactive tritium into the air and water; there are 14,000 tonnes of nuclear fuel waste at the Pickering station; and criticized emergency planning for a serious accident.
OPG spokesman Neal Kelly noted safety is the No. 1 priority, and added the Pickering plant last year received the highest safety rating from the CNSC that it has ever had.
“I think the public should feel confident in that and take their word over people dressed like elephants,” he said.
Information on how to provide input on the upcoming licence extension applications can be found at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca .