Ontario's energy minister is calling for tougher scrutiny of potential dangers posed to Ontario's nuclear power plants, CTV News has learned.
In a letter to his federal counterparts, Brad Duguid has asked them to take the current nuclear crisis in Japan into consideration as environmental assessment hearings begin into the construction of two giant nuclear reactors at Darlington Nuclear.
Since the record earthquake and tsunami struck in Japan last week, Dai-ichi officials have lost the ability to cool down several reactors, leading to explosions and fires at the plant and the frightening risk of a full meltdown in the stricken reactors. Residents have been evacuated from a wide swath surrounding the reactors.
Darlington is located about 60 kilometres east of Toronto, and within 30 kilometres of Pickering, which has its own nuclear power plant.
Duguid has also ordered the chief executives of Ontario Power Generation and Bruce Nuclear to review the events in Japan and take all necessary steps to tighten emergency procedures at their nuclear stations.
The minister has also offered Japan any assistance it requires given Ontario's expertise in the nuclear field.
With files from CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss
