NWMO Mobile Learn More Centre visiting Sioux Lookout
Tim Brody - Editor
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) Mobile Learn More Centre will be visiting Sioux Lookout on July 13 and 14, at the Travel Information Centre.
People will be able to visit the centre from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the 13th and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 14th.
According to NWMO, “The Mobile Learn More Centre is a rolling exhibit designed to travel across the province and country to share Canada’s plan for used nuclear fuel and the NWMO’s work with local communities. It includes multimedia, interactive and static exhibits, including a 3D model of a deep geological repository.” NWMO shared that it will have “knowledgeable staff on hand to answer any questions visitors might have about used nuclear fuel, the NWMO, the siting process in Ignace, or any aspect of Canada’s plan for used nuclear fuel.”
According to their website, “Since 2010, the NWMO has been engaged in a multi-year, community-driven process to identify a site where Canada’s used nuclear fuel can be safely contained and isolated in a deep geological repository.”
Their website goes on to add, “Today, the NWMO is engaging with two potential siting areas, including First Nation and Métis communities in the area, interested in learning more about Canada’s plan. The Township of Ignace in northwestern Ontario, and the Municipality of South Bruce in southern Ontario are considered potential host areas for the project.”
NWMO shared for those interested in visiting the Mobile Learn More Centre, “To ensure we were in line with public health guidelines and abiding by social distancing measures, plans are in place to protect the safety and well-being of the people we engaged with. Aligned with protocols put in place by the Northwestern Health Unit, every visitor is required to provide a name and contact information for contact-tracing purposes. In addition, mobile exhibit visitors are required to self-screen, sanitize their hands upon entry, and always wear a mask or face covering while inside the Mobile Learn More Centre. NWMO will provide masks and hand sanitizer. Capacity is limited to two visitors at a time. We will have staff outside of the unit that can answer any questions if there is any waiting time before a visitor can be given the tour.”
Vince Ponka, NWMO Regional Communications Manager - Northern Ontario said of the visit to Sioux Lookout, “A major aspect of our work is to inform Canadians about the long term plan for used nuclear fuel. The Mobile Learn More Centre helps us do that. We wanted to visit as many communities as possible and we are very excited to be able to bring the MLMC to Sioux Lookout and to be able to answer any questions residents might have.”
