Bruce Power’s “Nuclear Fish City” shows fish thriving in a healthy habitat beside the nuclear facility. The underwater camera shows many fish gathering near the site.
Fact or Fiction?
In Treaty 45½ in 1836, the Crown promised to protect the Saugeen Peninsula for SON forever. But the Crown broke its promise. There was significant squatting, timber theft and trespass on the Saugeen Peninsula, and the Crown did little to stop it. In 1854, Crown Officials told SON there was nothing they could do to stop squatting on their Peninsula, and the only real pathway forward for SON was to open most of the land on the Peninsula settlement. After considerable pressure, Treaty 72 was concluded. The day after the Treaty was signed, the Crown sent the sheriff to remove squatters on the Peninsula. In 2021, the Ontario Superior Court found that the Crown had breached the Honour of the Crown. The appropriate remedies for this breach were left for the next phase of the case. SON is now seeking the return of appropriate lands owned by Canada or Ontario and financial compensation; it is not seeking privately owned homes, cottages, farms or businesses. As of September 2026, the remedy trial is scheduled for late 2030 into early 2031.
Your Home Is Not the Claim
SON’s Treaty claim seeks remedies involving Crown-owned lands and financial compensation. It does not seek privately owned homes, cottages, farms or businesses.
Everyone Pays for Delay
Lengthy litigation costs public money, government resources, legal fees and years of preparation. It prolongs uncertainty for SON, governments, municipalities, residents and industry.
SON Territory
SON’s Territory covers over 2 million acres, stretching north to the top of the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula, east to the Nottawasaga River, south to Arthur, west to Goderich, and along Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
Why Consent Matters
Decisions about SON Territory affect SON’s rights, lands, waters and future generations. Asking for input after important decisions are made is not meaningful consent. Consent creates better decisions, stronger relationships and greater certainty.
Minister Stephen Lecce’s references to Indigenous engagement mean Ontario meaningfully consulted SON before advancing its support for the proposed Bruce C expansion.