Algonquin leaders seek answers on toxic sewage discharge at nuclear lab

Algonquin leaders are demanding accountability after learning Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) discharged toxic sewage at the Chalk River research hub along the Ottawa River this spring.

Chalk River’s sanitary sewage plant failed an “acute lethality test” in February, meaning the effluent, or treated wastewater discharge, was found to be toxic to fish.

CNL was depositing the toxic effluent into freshwater at the site between February and April, violating regulations and prompting action from enforcement officers, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) confirmed.

Kebaowek First Nation Chief Lance Haymond says he trusts neither ECCC nor the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to protect his members from hazards — radioactive or otherwise.

“What is the toxic effluent in sewage being discharged since February 2024 at Chalk River?” Haymond asked in an April 30 letter to Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and CNSC.

The Algonquin leader, whose community is in Quebec — upstream from the facility — is calling for a nation-to-nation initiative to monitor waste dumping in the watershed.

“The impact of this non-compliance is deeply troubling,” wrote Haymond, adding that it underscores the need for an independent watchdog organization that includes First Nations.

CNL said Friday it has a dedicated team, supported by external experts, working to identify the source of any operational discharges that may have disrupted the plant’s biological treatment system, known as activated sludge, which will take some time to recover.

“The current focus of the investigation is on detergents or cleaning solutions used within the laboratories,” the organization said via statement.

“The discharge from the sewage treatment facility does not pose a threat to the environment or the public. CNL can also confirm that this non-compliance is not related to radiological contaminants.”

The Chalk River site, 180 kilometres northwest of Ottawa, was formerly a leading producer of the world’s medical isotopes before the national research reactor’s 2018 shutdown.

Historic incidents at the site range from accidents at the reactors in 1952 and 1958, to a radioactive tritium leak in 2009, among other mishaps.

Dylan Whiteduck, chief of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg near Maniwaki, Que., also expressed little faith in the organization to protect the Kichi Zibi, or Ottawa River.

“Perhaps a third party investigation into other activities is warranted and all impacted residents should demand accountability,” he wrote by email.

Greg Sarazin, chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, said he would support increased monitoring.

“The Algonquin Nation takes our role as stewards of the land very seriously,” he said.

“We are not happy that there’s anything that could be discharged into the environment that could be harmful.”

Pikwakanagan is the closest First Nation to Chalk River and has a relationship agreement with CNL.

“We have eyes in the field and boots on the ground, and we expect to be fully involved in the entire investigation, management and monitoring of this incident — and any other incident,” Sarazin said.

Nuclear commission criticized

In January, CNSC, the nuclear regulator, approved CNL’s plans to build a radioactive landfill at Chalk River, putting a spotlight on both organizations’ capacity to protect the Ottawa River.

CNSC declined to comment on the sewage issue and referred all inquiries to ECCC as the department with jurisdiction. Guilbeault was not made available for an interview.

Kerrie Blaise, founder at Legal Advocates for Nature’s Defence and legal counsel to Kebaowek, called CNSC’s decision not to act part of a “troubling pattern” that raises questions about the watchdog’s willingness to show its teeth.

CNSC’s website says the commission is “responsible for evaluating how well licensees meet regulatory requirements and expectations.” This, Blaise argued, means the commission could exercise its authority here but is choosing not to.

“There remains institutional, cultural dynamics within the CNSC where they are not being the watchdog that they ought to be and this unfortunately is another telling example of that,” she said.

Haymond wrote in his letter that “the failure of the CNSC to inspect and issue an order against CNL in this instance” demonstrates why he doesn’t trust it.

The CNSC falls under the umbrella of Natural Resources Canada, the ministry also responsible for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the Crown corporation that owns Chalk River.

The commission has previously stressed its independence as a quasi-judicial licensing body that makes decisions free from political interference and reports to Parliament through the minister.

Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson’s office declined to comment.