nuclear-news

Residents back their doctors in anti-uranium stand

Sept-Iles residents maintain pressure on Quebec to halt uranium mining The Canadian Press By Jessica Murphy (CP) –14 Dec 09 MONTREAL — Sept-Iles residents continue to pressure Quebec to slap a moratorium on uranium exploration in the province, despite the government’s promise to open a debate on health and safety concerns surrounding the industry.Some 1,000 protesters gathered Sunday in the town about 900 kilometres northwest of Montreal on the North Shore.They were backing 20 doctors who threatened to quit their practice in the remote Quebec region because of plans to build a uranium mine nearby.”We’re showing our support,” said Marc Fafard, spokesman and founder of a grassroots group opposed to uranium mining in the province.”We want to show how proud we are of the doctors to have finally made this a provincial debate. Like it should be.”…………………..

Residents have concerns over the health and safety of uranium mines and fear the mining waste could contaminate local drinking water.

Meanwhile, Fafard says public resistance will continue should the government choose not to halt the mining projects…………………….

Fafard notes British Columbia banned uranium mining last year and Nova Scotia announced in October a longtime ban on mining the heavy metal will be made into law.

December 15, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Canada, politics | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive, uranium