Quebec avoiding a nuclear disaster

A Quebec coalition wants to permanently close the province’s only nuclear facility due to the crisis in Japan. The coalition of politicians and activists says Quebec’s Gentilly-two power plant is too dangerous to maintain. They met in Montreal to discuss their mutual goal in ending any further investment in the power plant.

The coalition includes the Parti Quebecois, Quebec Solidaire, scientists and environmentalists. Their opposition to the power plant started before the Japan tsunami disaster. It is also timed with the deadline for submissions to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Coalition spokesman Michel Duguay says the risk of a Quebec tsunami is very low. But any other kind of accident, like a pipe break, could happen at any moment with horrible consequences.

Gentilly-two currently delivers about three percent of Quebec’s overall need for power.