The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has selected the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and the Township of Ignace in Ontario as the host communities to host Canada ’s first deep geological repository . This project will mark a significant advancement in the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel , addressing one of the Canadian energy industry’s most complex challenges.
Safety in nuclear waste management
The decision, made after more than a decade of study and collaboration with local and Indigenous communities, responds to a widespread consensus that it is essential to manage spent nuclear fuel safely , without leaving the burden on future generations. According to Laurie Swami, president of the NWMO, the project will solve an environmental problem and contribute to Canada’s climate change goals. The video below shows Swami’s announcement.
Local and indigenous communities will be actively involved. Source: NWMO
Technical studies conducted by the NWMO have confirmed that the chosen site is geologically safe for permanent storage of spent nuclear fuel , employing advanced technologies to isolate and contain radioactive waste in an underground environment. This will allow Canada to deal with nuclear fuel responsibly, ensuring the protection of the environment and public health for centuries to come.
Active participation of indigenous communities
A key aspect of this process has been the active participation of indigenous communities . In line with the principles of reconciliation, the project has been designed to respect the sovereign rights of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, who will actively participate in the implementation of the regulatory process.
Through a Regulatory Assessment and Approval Process (RAAP), WLON will ensure that its own Anishinaabe values and laws are upheld, ensuring the project moves forward in a way that benefits its members and respects their traditions.
The project will also represent a step forward in terms of safety and sustainability, and will also generate significant economic benefits for local communities. New jobs are expected to be created and infrastructure investment will be made, contributing to the well-being of Ignace and WLON residents for the next 175 years.
In addition, the project will have a positive impact on the economic development and prosperity of the entire Ontario region.
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Source: NWMO
Photo: shutterstock