[The Canadian Press, 31 October] Ontario's newly-named Energy Minister, Gerry Phillips, just minutes after being sworn in, was asked if he had decided on the Canadian-built Candu reactor as the winning design for Ontario's new nuclear power plant fleet, as well as how many more power plants the province would need to build. In response, he said, "There's some really interesting decisions that we've got to make and I can't think frankly of a better spot for myself." Ha added: "I'm looking forward to whatever decision we make on nuclear. It's going to be a huge part of my job, what I recommend to cabinet." Phillips maintained that Ontario would stick with its plan to phase out the use of coal to generate power within seven years, and would have enough replacement power online by that time. The Liberal government's 20-year electricity plan calls for spending of C$40-70 billion ($42-74 billion) on a range of nuclear, wind and conservation projects, including at least two new nuclear power plants. Dave Martin of Greenpeace said he's concerned Phillips represents the "old guard" of the party and won't be willing to change the government's position of meeting future electricity demand by relying on nuclear power. "This is a do-or-die kind of situation," said Martin.
Further information
WNA's Canada's Uranium Production & Nuclear Power information paper
_51287.jpg)
