Election: Tory promises to fast-track Swain's nuclear plant

NEWS RELEASE

RON SWAIN PC CANDIDATE ALGOMA-MANITOULIN

************************* Tory vows to fast-track nuke plants, putting Algoma Manitoulin northern nuclear option 12,000-megawatt plant on top of pack in Ontario and first to be built

The North Shore nuclear power station of 12,000 megawatts had an environmental assessment completed in the past and would make contemporary federal environmental assessment process much shorter than three year maximum for new sites.

Ron Swain states: "Tory vows to fast-track nuke plants, and in my opinion our northern nuclear building option is ahead of any nuclear plant site in the province. The critical environmental assessment was approved in the past making possible fast tracking the contemporary mandatory federal environmental assessment obligations and responsibilities under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). This makes it possible to get to building and operation stage licencing of the Federal process faster.”

“Ron Swain is a champion of our plan to foster greater economic development and diversity in the North. He has also expressed his strong support for our policy of developing additional nuclear power in Ontario, and he has put me on notice that he will be an advocate for the development of a northern nuclear option. I think he will be a strong voice for his community on this and other issues,” said John Tory.

“John Tory’s commitment to me was that a northern nuclear option would be on the table when decision’s to build Nuclear plants are made. The tremendous positive economic effect it would have on Northern Ontario would be part of that decision making process. This is proof that John Tory cares about the out-migration problem in the north, our youth and skilled workers leaving and never coming back," said Swain.

"Mr. McGuinty knew four years ago that we had a supply problem. He had four years to get nuclear expansion underway and he did not," Tory said.

"We must ensure a reliable, reasonably priced electricity supply for the hard working people of this province," said Tory. "People need to know that when they get home at the end of a long day and turn on the lights, the lights will come on."

“The lights were off most of Sunday on Manitoulin Island for repairs, but imagine this being a regular occurrence, we must build a nuclear plant on the North Shore to ensure lights stay on in the north and throughout Ontario,” said Ron Swain.

Dalton McGuinty's broken promises to the people of Ontario, and the inaction of the Liberal government over the past four years is leading Ontario towards a potential energy shortfall, said Tory.

“In the late 70s the then-Ontario Hydro examined sites in the North Channel between Bruce Mines, Blind River and near Little Current. The report recommended two locations near Iron Bridge and advised a nuclear centre of 12,000 megawatts was feasible. The report included a positive environmental assessment,” said Swain.

A John Tory PC government will reduce emissions to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

In order to hit the targets a PC government will partner with both industries and individuals.

To ensure the presence of the resources necessary to achieve these ambitious goals, a PC government will increase annual environment expenditures from $325 million in 2007-08 to $465 million in 2011-12, an increase of over 40 per cent.

"We must achieve the cleaner environment Ontario needs today - and that our children and grandchildren deserve tomorrow," said Tory. "Balancing a secure energy future and a cleaner environment requires real leadership. That's why, for a cleaner Ontario, leadership matters."

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