HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2016-01-20, Page 1212 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, January 20, 2016
The NWMO and Huron -Kinloss
Learning Together
JANUARY 2016
Relationship Manager Welcomes Opportunities to Support Community Learning About
Canada's Plan for Used Nuclear Fuel
A Relationship Manager with the NWMO since 2012, Paul Austin works closely with
Huron -Kinloss — one of nine Ontario communities moving forward in the Adaptive
Phased Management (APM) site selection and learn more process. At this early stage,
the only commitment any of the communities have made is to learning about Canada's
plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. Paul's role is to help
facilitate learning and important reflection about the project in Huron -Kinloss.
"My job is to ensure people in the community have the tools, information and
resources they need in order to be involved and make informed decisions along this
journey," he said, noting the process involves extensive learning and consistent
collaboration every step of the way.
It's All About Learning
Learning, as Paul explains, is fundamental
to the nine -step, multi-year site selection
process, whose objective is to arrive at a
single location for a deep geological
repository for used nuclear fuel and a
Centre of Expertise. He takes great
personal satisfaction in seeing firsthand
how the learning process unfolds.
"I really enjoy speaking with folks in the
community about the project at open
houses, the Learn More Centre and
community gatherings, where ifs important
to listen to their views, concerns and
questions, understand their perspectives
and share information," he said. "I
welcome opportunities like these to
support learning in a face-to-face
environment."
Paul notes that nuclear waste is a topic
that elicits a wide range of perspectives,
emotions and different levels of under-
standing.
"It's very important that we recognize
that not everyone needs the same tools
Advisory Committee Is Key to Learning
Paul also enjoys working with the Huron -Kinloss Nuclear Waste Community Advisory
Committee — a committee of council comprised of council members and citizen
volunteers who work collaboratively with the NWMO to plan engagement activities,
encourage citizen dialogues and involvement, and generate greater awareness and
Huron -Kinloss Learn More Centre
Another important learning tool is the
Huron -Kinloss Learn More Centre located
at 80 Huron Street in Ripley. The Centre,
open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m., is meant to provide easy
access to learning opportunities within the
community. Paul can often be found at the
Centre and encourages folks to drop in to
explore the visual props and interactive
displays, check out the many brochures
and booklets available and discuss their
views about the project over coffee or tea.
"We welcome the opportunity for
dialogue with the community," he said.
"It's all about learning...that's why we are
nwmo
NUCLEAR WASTE SOCIETE DE GESTION
MANAGEMENT DES DECHETS
ORGANIZATION NUCLEAIRES
here."
Paul is very committed to working with
the community to ensure it has every
opportunity to engage in learning about
this important process and project, and to
ultimately encourage informed
decision-making.
Paul invites you to call him at
519.386.6711 or visit the Learn More
Centre for more information.
When he isn't working on APM, one of
the things Paul enjoys the most is sailing
on Lake Huron. Paul and his wife Sue, a
well-known Kincardine retailer, have three
boys and love living in the area.
Residents are invited to visit the NWMO Learn More Centre for Huron -Kinloss, located at 80 Huron
Street in Ripley, to learn more about Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear
fuel. The NWMO would also like to encourage teachers, first responders, service club members and
other stakeholder groups to contact Paul Austin (featured in the photo) at 519.386.6711 if they are
interested in having a presentation about Canada's plan or seeking additional resource materials to
assist with learning.
and resources as they learn about
Canada's plan. Even though a dialogue
may be occurring at the same time with
many people, the participants might be
coming to the conversation with very
different levels of understanding," he said,
adding that's why face-to-face dialogues,
along with other engagement tools, are so
important.
knowledge of the project through the learning process.
"I feel very lucky to be working with so many community members and leaders who
are willing to learn about Canada's plan for our used fuel and consider the future," he
said. "Their community -mindedness is really commendable."
)) Of Note...
After many months of planning, the NWMO is excited to introduce its new
and improved website at www.nwmo.ca. The new website was designed to
help people learn more about Canada's plan for the safe, long-term
management of used nuclear fuel. We invite you to explore this new
learning tool and note the link to "Which areas are involved?" located on the
home page. Enjoy!
)) For more information about Canada's plan for used nuclear fuel, visit the
NWMO Learn More Centre for Huron -Kinloss at 80 Huron Street in Ripley,
email info@huronkinloss.com or phone 519.386.6711.
The NWMO and Huron -Kinloss Learning Together mini -newsletter is a community -oriented feature
designed to encourage learning and discussion about Canada's plan for the long-term management
of used nuclear fuel and the site selection process. We welcome your questions. Please forward
your questions to askthenwmo@nwmo.ca or call us at 1.866.249.6966.
For more information about the NWMO and Canada's plan for
the long-term management of used nuclear fuel, please visit:
www.nwmo.ca
)l