Frustration At Sask Party Nuclear Meetings a Common Theme
“I appreciate the opportunity to point out that there certainly will be expertise on hand to answer questions that the public may have at the consultation process that’s going to criss-cross this province.” – Former Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart, May 14, 2009 in Hansard
NDP Environment critic Sandra Morin today expressed her disappointment in the public process now taking place on nuclear power in Saskatchewan. The first of 10 days of public hearings kicked off in Yorkton last night to less than favourable reviews. The vast majority of the close to one hundred people who took in the first meeting were frustrated that no one could answer the numerous questions they had.
“Two weeks ago, the minister in charge assured the people of Saskatchewan that experts would be on hand at these public meetings to answer their questions,” Morin said. “What they ended up with in Yorkton were facilitators who made it clear from the outset that they weren’t there to answer questions. All the facilitators could do was say there might be another process that might answer the questions at some point in the future. What a colossal waste of time. Now that the nuclear baton has been passed to Bill Boyd, will he commit to having experts on hand at the remaining meetings that can at least answer some questions?”
Morin said the other clear theme coming out of the first public hearing was the lack of alternative energy options needed to perform a proper analysis.
“It was mentioned time and time again last night that people wanted to see a full range of energy options on the table so people can make informed decisions,” Morin said. “Several members of the public pointed out they felt they were at a disadvantage because they had nothing to compare nuclear power against. The NDP said at the outset of this debate that other forms of energy, such as wind, solar, geothermal, clean coal and hydro need to be part of this process so people can at least make informed choices. I also note several people who came out last night questioned why they only have 10 days to discuss an issue of such importance to the future of Saskatchewan.”
NDP Environment critic Sandra Morin today expressed her disappointment in the public process now taking place on nuclear power in Saskatchewan. The first of 10 days of public hearings kicked off in Yorkton last night to less than favourable reviews. The vast majority of the close to one hundred people who took in the first meeting were frustrated that no one could answer the numerous questions they had.
“Two weeks ago, the minister in charge assured the people of Saskatchewan that experts would be on hand at these public meetings to answer their questions,” Morin said. “What they ended up with in Yorkton were facilitators who made it clear from the outset that they weren’t there to answer questions. All the facilitators could do was say there might be another process that might answer the questions at some point in the future. What a colossal waste of time. Now that the nuclear baton has been passed to Bill Boyd, will he commit to having experts on hand at the remaining meetings that can at least answer some questions?”
Morin said the other clear theme coming out of the first public hearing was the lack of alternative energy options needed to perform a proper analysis.
“It was mentioned time and time again last night that people wanted to see a full range of energy options on the table so people can make informed decisions,” Morin said. “Several members of the public pointed out they felt they were at a disadvantage because they had nothing to compare nuclear power against. The NDP said at the outset of this debate that other forms of energy, such as wind, solar, geothermal, clean coal and hydro need to be part of this process so people can at least make informed choices. I also note several people who came out last night questioned why they only have 10 days to discuss an issue of such importance to the future of Saskatchewan.”
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