The proposed Wesleyville nuclear project is located in the Municipality of Port Hope, not Cobourg. We also have to recognize that we live in a two-tier municipal system, and many of the broader regional planning and growth issues are dealt with through Northumberland County.
However, that does not mean Cobourg should simply sit back and wait to see what happens.
A project of this potential size could bring significant economic opportunities to Northumberland County, but it could also bring significant pressures. If thousands of workers and their families are attracted to this area over the construction and operating life of the project, Cobourg could experience some of those impacts through increased demand for housing, roads, transportation, recreation, health care, emergency services and other community infrastructure.
As Deputy Mayor, I would want Cobourg working closely with Northumberland County, Port Hope, the Province and other partners well before those pressures arrive.
For me, sustainability is not simply about being environmentally friendly. It is about planning a community that can grow without sacrificing the quality of life we have today for future generations.
Cobourg already has an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. I want us to turn those goals into practical actions residents can actually see.
That means protecting our waterfront, parks, trees and natural areas. It means continuing to improve walking and cycling connections so people have realistic alternatives to using a vehicle for every trip. It means looking for opportunities to make municipal buildings and facilities more energy-efficient, reduce operating costs and emissions, reduce waste, conserve water and build infrastructure that is better able to withstand severe weather and the effects of climate change.
Sustainability also has to be incorporated into the way we grow.
If Wesleyville proceeds and our region experiences significant population growth, we need to make sure we are not simply building more subdivisions and adding more cars to our roads. We should be planning complete neighbourhoods where housing, parks, trails, services and transportation are considered together.
Housing would be one of my biggest concerns. A large influx of workers competing for housing could put additional pressure on an already difficult housing market. Through Cobourg Council and Northumberland County, I would advocate for a range of housing — including attainable and rental housing — so that the economic benefits of a major regional project do not come at the expense of people who already live here.
Transportation would also require regional planning. Rather than waiting until our roads become more congested, I would want the County, Cobourg, Port Hope, the Province and the project proponents discussing transportation demand, public transit connections, road infrastructure and active transportation well in advance.
And there is another important principle: growth should help pay for growth.
If a project of this magnitude creates additional infrastructure requirements in neighbouring communities, existing Cobourg taxpayers should not simply be handed the entire bill. I would advocate with Northumberland County and the Province for appropriate infrastructure investment and funding to help municipalities prepare for growth associated with the project.
Environmentally, I also want the Wesleyville assessment process to provide clear answers about Lake Ontario, water use, ecosystems, nuclear waste, transportation, emergency preparedness and the cumulative environmental impacts of a project that could operate for generations.
I am not prepared to prejudge those assessments. I want decisions based on evidence.
Ultimately, the Wesleyville decision is not a decision for Cobourg Council to make. But preparing Cobourg for the potential consequences absolutely is part of our responsibility.
My approach as Deputy Mayor would be to make sure Cobourg has a strong voice at Northumberland County, that we plan before growth occurs rather than react afterward, and that economic development, environmental responsibility and quality of life are considered together.
If this project proceeds, I want the next generation to be able to look back and say that we didn’t just experience growth — we planned for it responsibly.
