In an open letter to Mayor Elect Luke Charbonneau, this reader expresses her support for the Nuclear Innovation Institute to be established within Saugeen Shores.

Mayor Luke Charbonneau:

I am writing to express my full support for the establishment of the Ontario Nuclear Innovation Institute within the Town of Saugeen Shores.

I was born here. I grew up here. I chose to stay here and raise my family here and now I have retired here. This is my home.

This community is lucky beyond all measure to be home to the Bruce Power site. We have reaped the benefits of nuclear power for more than 50 years, and we're beginning the next chapter in that story.

The youth of Saugeen Shores have an opportunity to gain the upper hand in an increasingly competitive job market.

Creating the ONII in Saugeen Shores would give our youth a chance to get a head start on their counterparts from other communities who undoubtedly will be vying for a chance to work at Bruce Power.

Our youth want to stay. We had a generation of young people who left because they didn't have a choice. Half the site was shutdown and they had to go elsewhere.

We are on the cusp of something special, something unique that most other communities would give their right arm for.

It is time to stop giving in to those who want to stop progress in our community. It is time to say yes, it is time embrace the industry that has made our community what it is.

If Southampton does not want this tremendous opportunity, I know it would be welcomed with open arms in Port Elgin.

Mayor Charbonneau, please know you have our support to ensure Bruce Power builds the ONII in Saugeen Shores.

Thank you for your time.

Lynda MacKinnon
Port Elgin