Wesleyville Nuclear Comments

Statement Opposing the Wesleyville Plant Development

I am writing to express strong opposition to the proposed development of the Wesleyville plant, based on the significant and irreversible risks it poses to our region’s agricultural integrity—particularly organic farming—and the permanent loss of already scarce, high-quality farmland.

Northumberland County is home to some of Ontario’s most productive and valuable agricultural land. This land is not only finite—it is already under pressure from development and fragmentation. Once it is industrialized, it cannot be restored. The proposed use of this site represents a permanent conversion of prime farmland into heavy industrial infrastructure, which directly contradicts long-term food security and sustainable land-use priorities.

Of particular concern is the impact on organic farming operations in the surrounding area. Organic certification depends on strict environmental controls and the absence of contamination from industrial pollutants, airborne particulates, and water runoff. The introduction of a large-scale industrial facility creates a real and credible risk of contamination that could compromise existing organic farms, strip them of certification, and undermine years—if not decades—of investment and stewardship.

Beyond individual farms, this proposal risks damaging the broader agricultural ecosystem. Local food production, soil health, water quality, and pollinator systems are all interconnected. Industrial encroachment into agricultural zones disrupts this balance and places long-term strain on a system that is essential to both the local economy and community well-being.

This is not simply a land-use decision—it is a decision about priorities. Protecting prime agricultural land and supporting sustainable farming practices must remain a cornerstone of responsible planning. Short-term industrial gain should not come at the cost of long-term food resilience and environmental integrity.

I urge decision-makers to reject this proposal and instead prioritize development that preserves our agricultural assets and supports the long-term viability of farming in our region.