Kincardine, Ontario: Eight out of 10 Ontarians support the refurbishment of the Bruce Power reactors, according to poll results released by the Canadian Nuclear Association May 25.
The telephone poll, conducted between May 11 to 15 for the CNA by the independent firm Innovative Research Group, found this support was generally consistent among all regions of the province, ages and genders.
The top reasons given for support were nuclear being the best option, a strong safety and operational record, and that it is viewed as being clean with a low environmental impact.
The CNA released the results of the poll as part of its intervention at Bruce Power’s relicensing hearings in Kincardine the following week.
The poll also found that by a margin of six to one, Ontarians agreed the facility operates safely, the company is responsibly managed, and is a good corporate citizen. Five to one believed adequate security measures are in place. There was also overwhelming support for the role the company plays providing medical isotopes for sterilization and medical use.
The survey was based on a total of 578 telephone interviews (landline and cellphone sample) among Ontario residents aged 18 and older. The data was weighted by age, gender and region using the most recent Census data, to a final sample size of 500. A sample of this size has an associated margin of error of + 4.4%, 19 times out of 20.