These and other findings from deliberative dialogues with Canadians are detailed in Responsible Action - Citizens' Dialogue on the Long-term Management of Used Nuclear Fuel, an analytical report by Judy Watling, Judith Maxwell, Nandini Saxena and Suzanne Taschereau of the Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN), published today.

The dialogues were organized by CPRN on behalf of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). This non-profit organization was set up by the nuclear industry at the request of the federal government to advise it on options for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The dialogues are a key element in the NWMO's engagement with experts, stakeholders and the public at large.

Canada's 22 commercial nuclear reactors produce 13 % of our electricity. They are expected to produce 3.6 million used fuel bundles over their anticipated lifetimes. Today, these are safely stored in licensed facilities at the nuclear generating stations. The fuel remains hazardous for a very long time. Canada, like other nuclear countries, is seeking an acceptable method of storing it for the long-term. That choice, says the NWMO, must be "socially acceptable, technically sound, environmentally responsible and economically feasible."

"The engagement of citizens is essential," says Elizabeth Dowdeswell, NWMO President. "Effective public policy is built upon an understanding of what really matters to Canadians. We need thoughtful deliberation and dialogue."

A representative sample of 462 Canadians took part in dialogues in 12 cities across the country, in both official languages. Citizens from all walks of life gave up a Saturday or Sunday to discuss what principles should guide decisions about used nuclear fuel over the long-term. (See dialogue backgrounders.)

"The citizens' dialogues are not intended to supplant expert advice," says Judith Maxwell, President of CPRN, "They tell us what values Canadians believe should govern our decisions regarding used nuclear fuel."

Those values are:

- Responsibility - live up to our responsibilities and deal with the

problems we create.

- Adaptability - develop and apply new knowledge as it emerges.

- Stewardship - our duty to husband resources and leave a sound legacy

to future generations.

- Accountability and Transparency - to rebuild trust.

- Knowledge - a public good for better decisions now and in the future.

- Inclusion - we all have a role to play.

"The first three address how rights and responsibilities should be shared across generations," says Maxwell. "The last three address how decisions are made and who should be making them. The values are not mutually exclusive and often reinforce each other."

Citizens want to take responsibility and act now on waste created in generating electricity they have used. But they also want to make it possible for future generations to revisit today's choices in the light of new knowledge and technologies.

Citizens advocated a holistic approach to the challenge of managing used nuclear fuel. They supported conserving energy use, exploiting alternative energy sources and, fully assessing the costs and benefits of all types of energy.

They are keen to ensure that they receive the information they need to contribute to decisions about the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. They want an independent body, with expert and citizen representation, to see that information is provided and that government and industry do their part.

"Perhaps most important, participants strongly endorsed the NWMO's engagement approach and see it as a model for future decision- making," says Maxwell.

"We have listened and learned," says Dowdeswell. "Citizens have contributed important insights. The values they expressed will guide NWMO's further work and be reflected in our ultimate recommendations for the long- term management of used nuclear fuel."

The NWMO is committed to developing a nuclear waste management recommendation that is socially acceptable, environmentally responsible, technically sound and economically feasible. It must complete its study and present its recommendation to the Government of Canada by November 2005.

CPRN is a national not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to create knowledge and lead public debate on social and economic issues important to the well-being of Canadians, in order to help build a more just, prosperous and caring society.

To download a free copy of the report visit the CPRN home page: http://www.cprn.org or visit the NWMO Web site at http:// www.nwmo.ca

A weekly CPRN e mail service, e-network, provides short updates on research projects or corporate activities. Visit www.e- network.ca to subscribe.

----------

BACKGROUNDER

----------

The NWMO

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization was established by Canada's nuclear electricity generators following passage of the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act in 2002. The organization's purpose is to investigate and recommend to the Government of Canada an approach for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. It must present its study by November 2005.

An arms-length not-for-profit company, the NWMO is comprised of a small group of professional and support staff under the leadership of its president Elizabeth Dowdeswell, an accomplished executive with an extensive background in government, education and international affairs. A Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation mentor, she served as Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program and is a former Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment for Canada.

The NWMO has the benefit of an independent Advisory Council, chaired by the Hon. David Crombie, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. A guarantor of the public interest, the Advisory Council's written comments on the NWMO study will be made public.

The NWMO has committed to working collaboratively with Canadians to develop a long-term management approach for used nuclear fuel that is socially acceptable, environmentally responsible, technically sound and economically feasible. To do this it has developed an iterative study plan which invites citizens to help shape the decision-making process, and to participate in developing the recommendation. Its first discussion document, Asking the Right Questions? was released in November, 2003.

The Issue

Canada has 22 nuclear reactors generating electricity in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. Over their anticipated lifetimes they are expected to produce 3.6 million used fuel bundles which remain hazardous to humans and the environment for a very long time. Currently, these are safely stored at the reactor sites in interim facilities licensed and regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Some additional used fuel occurs in the production of isotopes for medical applications or research and testing purposes. Like most other nuclear countries, Canada has not yet adopted an approach for the long-term management of its used nuclear fuel.

The Study

The CPRN National Citizens' Dialogue is an important element of the NWMO's engagement with the public at large, stakeholders and experts. Other activities include: discussions with people living in nuclear site communities to gain insight from their unique experience with nuclear energy, a dialogue and consultation process developed by aboriginal organizations and supported by the NWMO, regional and national dialogues involving stakeholders and others interested in public policy issues, a scenarios exercise to imagine different futures, public opinion research, and a number of structured dialogues for in-depth exploration of key issues.

Expert advice has been sought at workshops convened by the NWMO and on its behalf. More than 50 background papers have been commissioned to learn from the best knowledge available in Canada and internationally. A roundtable has been established to deliberate and provide guidance on ethical considerations. And, a multi- disciplinary assessment team is undertaking a rigorous analysis of management approaches.

The website, www.nwmo.ca, is at the core of the NWMO dialogue with the general public. It hosts all NWMO research and information and it provides interactive opportunities for comments, submissions and surveys.

After publication of its second discussion document, Understanding the Choices, the NWMO will initiate a second intense round of engagement including a series of information and dialogue sessions in communities across Canada and several topic-specific e- dialogues. A schedule of these events will be posted on the website. Draft recommendations will be released early in 2005 before a final report is prepared and presented to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada. The Government of Canada will choose a way forward from among the approaches studied by the NWMO.

Maxwell, President, CPRN, Tel: (613) 567-7500 ext. 2002 - E- mail: jmaxwell(at)cprn.org; Peter Puxley, Director, Public Affairs, CPRN, Tel: (613) 567-7500 ext. 2019 - E-mail: ppuxley(at)cprn.org; Liz Dowdeswell, President, NWMO, Tel: (416) 934-9814 ext. 234; Mike Krizanc, Communications Manager, NWMO, Tel: (416) 934-9814 ext. 225 - E-mail: mkrizanc(at)nwmo.ca/ ST: OntarioSU: NPT