Landmark Decision in Nuclear Waste Management
The Township of Ignace, situated in northwestern Ontario, has become the first community in Canada to officially express its willingness to progress to the next stage of the site selection process for hosting a deep geological repository (DGR) for the country’s used nuclear fuel.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) initiated the process to identify a suitable site for the DGR back in 2010. Initially, 22 communities expressed interest, which was later narrowed down to two potential locations: the Revell Site near Ignace and the South Bruce Site.
Community Engagement and Decision-Making
Ignace’s willingness process involved extensive community engagement, including direct dialogues with residents, youth engagement, and a community vote. A volunteer Willingness Ad Hoc Committee analyzed the engagement results and provided recommendations to the Council.
The recommendations to the Council revealed that 77.3% of participants voted in favor of becoming a willing host community, while 20.8% voted against and 1.9% abstained.
Official Resolution Passed by Ignace Council
On July 10th, the Ignace Council unanimously accepted the recommendations and passed a resolution indicating the town’s willingness to host the DGR. Mayor Kim Baigrie emphasized the community’s clear support for the project.
The Ignace Council clarified that their resolution doesn’t guarantee that the Township will ultimately host the repository, nor has the NWMO made a final decision on the site. It simply signifies Ignace’s willingness to continue in the selection process.
NWMO Acknowledges Community Efforts
Lise Morton, NWMO Vice-President of Site Selection, congratulated the Township and its residents on reaching this milestone, acknowledging their leadership and dedication throughout the process.
The NWMO is actively working with three other communities involved in the site selection process to gauge their willingness to proceed. Discussions are ongoing with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, and the Municipality of South Bruce, which will hold a referendum in October.
Project Contingent on Informed and Willing Hosts
The NWMO has consistently emphasized that the project will only advance in areas with informed and willing host communities, where collaboration exists between the municipality, Indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders.
The NWMO is expected to make a final decision on the DGR site by the end of December 2024. Once selected, the site’s safety will be rigorously assessed through a regulatory review of the repository design and safety case, a process expected to take approximately 10 years.
Project Timeline
Construction of the repository is slated to begin in 2033, with operations commencing in the early 2040s.
