Concerned citizens march through downtown Ottawa for nuclear safety

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’, a private consortium, is proposing to permanently store nuclear waste near the Ottawa River at Chalk River. It is also applying for a 10-year renewal of its operating license, the longest ever. These proposals are a major cause for concern for numerous citizens, organizations and municipalities, including the millions of citizens who live and draw their drinking water downstream. Media is being invited to witness a peaceful and colourful demonstration as concerned citizens make their way through downtown Ottawa, including performances by the Ottawa Raging Grannies and the symbolic portage of a red canoe. Marchers will deliver letters to elected officials and hand-outs to passerby.

WHEN: Thursday, January 18. Marchers will assemble near the flame on Parliament Hill at 11:00 a.m. and the march will begin shortly thereafter. Marchers will walk along Sparks St., arriving at Bank and Slater at 11:30 to deliver a letter to Michael Binder, President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The march will continue east on Laurier to Ottawa City Hall where a brief halt for speeches and deliver of a letter to Mayor Jim Watson will commence at 11:45 a.m. At 12:10 the marchers will continue south on Elgin to Catherine McKenna’s office, last stop on the march.

WHERE: Media are invited to cover the event from its starting point (near the flame on Parliament Hill – 11:00), along the route towards the Ottawa City Hall (Sparks-Bank-Laurier), or at the stop at Ottawa City Hall (11:45 a.m.).

WHO: Dozens of concerned citizens and representatives of several organizations.

Spokespeople:

Lynn Jones Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area hendrickson.jones@gmail.com cell: 613-293-6065

Réal Lalande (also available for interviews in French) Stop Oléoduc Outaouais / Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive (RCPR) lalander2@videotron.ca cell: 819-360-4610