Federal Review – Public Consultation on NWMO Project in NW Ontario

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (the NWMO) is proposing a new underground deep geological repository system designed to safely contain and isolate used nuclear fuel. Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and the Township of Ignace have been selected as the host communities for the proposed project, which is located 21km southeast of the WLON and 43km northwest of the Town of Ignace, Ontario along Highway 17. As proposed, the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project would provide permanent storage for approximately 5.9 million bundles of used nuclear fuel. The project is expected to span approximately 160 years, encompassing site preparation, construction, operation and closure monitoring.

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission invite the public to review the summary of the Initial Project Description for the Deep Geological Repository for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project and provide feedback by February 4, 2026.

Comments should be based on local, regional, or Indigenous Knowledge of the site or surrounding environment, or provide any other relevant information that may support the conduct of this assessment. Comments received will support IAAC and the CNSC in the preparation of a summary of issues that will be sent to the proponent and help shape how the overall integrated assessment will be carried out.

This is an initial project description and not a full impact statement (currently expected to be filed in 2028) but this initial stage should provide a comprehensive description, identifying all project activities and potential impacts (and how impacts are to be avoided or reduced).