Media Release: Federal and Provincial Greens Plan Cooperation on Nuclear Waste, Ring of Fire, Electricity Costs

Cooperation between Canada and Ontario that emphasizes northern issues is the pledge that Green MP Bruce Hyer and GPO leader Mike Schreiner made today.

(10/05/2015) Thunder Bay, ON – Hyer and Schreiner are working together on a cross jurisdictional plan to responsibly develop the Ring of Fire, protect Lake Superior from radioactive nuclear waste, and lower electricity prices in northwestern Ontario.

“Thunder Bay needs an independent voice that will speak for northerners,” says Schreiner. “Bruce Hyer has demonstrated repeatedly that he can work with other parties and the province to get things done for Thunder Bay Superior North.”

Hyer will work with all levels of government, including First Nations, to develop a comprehensive land use plan for north of 50; support value-added local processing with affordable renewable electricity from Manitoba for all northern communities; ensure that all aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities benefit from mining developments; and support federal funding for road corridors and rail access to the Ring of Fire.

“Lower electricity prices, federal infrastructure support, environmental protections, and shared benefits to all communities are essential to making the Ring of Fire work for northerners,” says Hyer. “I’m committed to using the Green Party’s leverage in a minority Parliament to influence federal policies.”

Hyer and Schreiner are also committed to protecting the well being of northern communities by strongly opposing the storage of radioactive nuclear waste in the Lake Superior watershed.

“If you don’t want nuclear waste in our backyard, then you can trust me with your vote,” says Hyer. “Mike Schreiner and I will work together to stop shipments of Toronto’s nuclear waste, and to phase out expensive nuclear power with lower cost water power from Manitoba and Quebec.”

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What will it take to bring the Ring of Fire into reality?

Meaningful collaboration to ensure that First Nations share int he benefit from resources in Northwestern Ontario.

Creating win-win conditions for all communities in NWO, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and enhancing value added and significant long term job creation.

Lowering the cost of electricity in three ways:
– developing potential regional hydro-electric opportunities
– creating an east-west electricity grid to take advantage of clean, renewable, cheap hydro electricity from Manitoba and Quebec
– stopping the sale of Hydro One.

A real land use plan for North of 50, (the three main parties in the province have never developed one!) building from First Nations community-based land use plans, and integrated to develop road and electricity grid corridors and strategies for job creation and economic development. The federal and Ontario Green Parties will work together to make sure that the commitments by Ontario and Canada for $1 billion each in infrastructure will be well-planned, actually spent… and well spent.
For more information

Amanda Moddejonge
Bruce Hyer Campaign Office
807-344-3222

Mike Schreiner, Leader, Green Party of Ontario
Cell 647-202-8840
Or Samantha Bird 647-654-2022