Bruce Power and the Municipality of Kincardine have taken a significant step in the preparation for the proposed Bruce C Nuclear Project.
The partners have finalized a new four-year Infrastructure and Community Readiness Assessment Agreement. This partnership secures $2.2 million in funding dedicated to strategic municipal planning and readiness efforts over the next several years.
The financial support is intended to help the municipality evaluate and prepare for the potential long-term effects and benefits that such a major infrastructure undertaking could bring to the area. These funds will be directed toward various essential areas, including technical research, infrastructure reviews, service delivery strategies, growth oversight, and community preparedness programs focusing on water and waste systems, emergency response, transit, and recreational facilities.
“The agreement will help ensure the Municipality is positioned to responsibly plan for future growth and investment,” said Mayor Kenneth Craig. “Kincardine has decades of experience hosting major nuclear projects, and early planning is essential to getting it right. This support allows us to assess municipal infrastructure and service needs so our community is prepared and ensures our residents’ and businesses’ interests are at the forefront as planning for the Bruce C project continues. We appreciate Bruce Power and the Province’s continued partnership and commitment to working collaboratively with the Municipality, our residents and businesses.”
The Bruce C Project represents a vital prospect for the Clean Energy Frontier, according to Eric Chassard, the President and CEO of Bruce Power.
“The Bruce C Project represents a significant opportunity for the Clean Energy Frontier region. In order to maximize these major benefits, it is essential that local communities have the capacity to advance community and infrastructure readiness assessments,” said Chassard. “We know that supportive infrastructure is more than roads and warehouses; it includes housing, workforce services, community planning, and healthy communities with the local capacity to make informed and timely decisions. This agreement ensures that the Municipality of Kincardine has the tools and resources needed to prepare in a thoughtful and responsible way.”
The contract highlights the necessity of integrated planning with local host communities as the province deals with a surge in electricity needs caused by rising populations, manufacturing growth, and the shift toward electrification. Currently, the Bruce C Project is moving through the Impact Statement stage of the federal assessment process. Local officials have maintained close ties with Bruce County and the Town of Saugeen Shores to ensure regional cooperation, with expectations that those neighbouring municipalities will sign similar agreements shortly.
This development follows an announcement last week by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Hon. Stephen Lecce, who confirmed support for the next phase of pre-development work for Bruce C. This progress is a major milestone in the effort to potentially introduce 4,800 megawatts of new nuclear energy production at the Bruce Power site.
