Bruce Power nuclear takeover suggested in poll

Apolling firm is asking what people would think about Bruce Power taking over other nuclear plants in Ontario.

But neither Bruce Power, which operates a nuclear station near Kincardine, nor Ontario Power Generation, which owns and operates the two other nuclear stations in the province, has much to say about it.

Alana Boltwood of Toronto recently tweeted that she’d been asked a series of questions about nuclear plants by a polling firm that she believes was Ipsos Canada.

In an interview, Boltwood said the pollster asked some questions about her political leanings, then asked questions about Bruce Power and nuclear energy.

“They were interested in my perceptions of the efficiency and quality and safety and job creation for Bruce Power,” she said.

“They eventually got into what messages would make me feel more supportive toward them taking over another plant.”

Boltwood says she doesn’t remember whether the pollster asked specifically about the Darlington or Pickering nuclear plants. But she said the questions centred on Ontario; Darlington and Pickering are the only two other nuclear stations in the province apart from the one operated by Bruce Power. Both the Darlington and Pickering plants are owned and operated by Ontario Power Generation, whose sole shareholder is the provincial government. OPG has proposed building two new reactors at the Darlington plant, but no final decision has been made. OPG also owns the Bruce plant, but Bruce Power operates it under a long-term lease. John Wright of Ipsos said his firm’s policy is not to discuss any polls before they’re published. He wouldn’t confirm or deny that Ipsos was polling about or for Bruce Power. Polling is “a business tool that is often used to understand the public view,” but the company doesn’t normally comment on its polling, Bruce Power spokesman John Peevers said in an email. He noted that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission requires the company to carry out polls on some issues. OPG also said its policy is not to comment on polling.