Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Quebec citizens and First Nations groups called on the provincial government to implement a moratorium on uranium mines in the province Monday.




The Coalition for Better Mining in Quebec (Coalition pour que le Québec ait meilleure mine) also called on the province to act on its promise to hold a generic environmental evaluation.

A coalition representative said Quebec must follow the examples of other provinces — like British Columbia and Nova Scotia — which shut the door on uranium mining for health, security and environmental reasons.

Many communities are declaring their opposition, like the Cree Nation of Mistissini (James Bay/Eeyou Istchee) in northern Quebec.

"As protectors of the largest fresh water lake in Quebec, Lake Mistassini, we strongly oppose any uranium development," said Chief Richard Shecapio in a written statement.

"It goes against our way of life and our beliefs. As opposed to other forms of tailings, such as that from the Stornoway mine also on our territory, waste from this type of mine stays radioactive for thousands of years, and that is socially unacceptable."

The coalition's announcement follows similar initiatives by others in the province — more than 300 town councils have adopted resolutions to oppose uranium mining.

The provincial government pledged to hold an independent inquiry and a recent marketing survey showed 78% of residents are in favour of a broad, independent impact assessment on uranium mining before any projects are approved.