About this Book

As oil reserves decline and the environment becomes more prominent in public policy discussions, the merits and dangers of nuclear power and nuclear waste management continue to be debated. Canada is intent on building more reactors to increase energy production without harming the planet, but it and other nuclear energy-producing countries face not only technical problems but also social and ethical issues.

Nuclear Waste Management in Canada provides a critical counterpoint to the favourable position taken by government and industry. The contributors build their case by exploring the following key issues and developments: What do frequently used terms such as safety, risk, and acceptability really mean? How and why did the public consultation process in Canada fail to address ethical and social issues? What is the significance and potential of a public consultation process that involves diverse interests, epistemologies, and actors, including Aboriginal peoples? And how do we ensure that the frameworks for discussion are inclusive and ethical?

This collection is a timely antidote to the uncertainty, ambiguity, and ignorance that surrounds discussions about nuclear energy.