Andrew Paul

Mandy Melnyk speaks outside of the legislature Oct. 27, 2009 during a rally opposing nuclear power in Alberta.

Just under 200 protesters gathered outside the legislature building this week, calling on the government to bar nuclear power from the province.

Members of the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta travelled as much as six hours to decry the possibility of Alberta Energy introducing policy that would allow companies to begin construction on proposed nuclear projects.

“I will not be able to sell anything organic,” says Mandy Melnyk, a farmer from DeBolt and the group’s communication coordinator, about the effects nuclear waste could have on her crops. “[Premier Ed Stelmach] is destroying my livelihood.”

Melnyk lives an hour south of a proposed nuclear plant near Peace River, and is outraged at what she calls an appalling lack of public consultation on the issue.

“How can this government presume to make such a big decision without making sure each Albertan is informed?” she says.

The protest comes hot on the heels of Nuclear Free Alberta’s green ribbon campaign that runs under the slogan “A truly green energy future does not include nuclear power.”

The group has sent letters to MLAs across the province urging them to consider renewable energy alternatives such as wind and geothermal power instead of making the move to nuclear power.

The group has also called for the government to do more to consult citizens who will be affected by potential nuclear projects.

However, Alberta Energy spokesman Derek Cummings says the province has already consulted close to 5,000 citizens about the issue through various public meetings, online and telephone surveys, and stakeholder meetings.

“It was quite an extensive consultation,” he says. “The government is considering this carefully, but hasn’t determined any policy yet.”

However, Melnyk says more is needed, and that they’ll continue their fight.

“We’re going to keep coming back until this government and Ed Stelmach is honest about his agenda,” she says.

A decision on Alberta’s nuclear policy is expected by the end of the year.