Published: Sunday, April 13, 2008
An expert on uranium mining is coming to Calgary with a warning: Don't let it happen to you.
Jim Harding, the former director of research in the School of Human Justice at the University of Regina, will be in town Thursday to discuss his book, Canada's Deadly Secret: Saskatchewan Uranium and the Global Nuclear System.
From Saskatchewan himself, Harding takes issue with uranium mining that occurs "out of sight and out of mind" of most citizens.
He argues that the geopolitical uses and long-term environmental effects are being hidden, and outweigh the short-term economic gain by which communities and governments are sometimes wooed.
He cites the Harper government's eager acceptance of nuclear energy as evidence that Canada is going down a path of misplaced intentions.
"We like to think we're a peace broker, but behind the scenes, we've been supplying fuel for the weapons system since the '50s," he said.
Murray Elston, president and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association, dismisses Harding's allegations as an exaggeration of the facts.
"Other people do have weapons and that's true, but the folks at Foreign Affairs are very strong about the use of the materials," he said.
The only active uranium mines in Canada are located in Saskatchewan. Harding said companies are now looking elsewhere as demand is high and supply is dwindling.
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