The NWMO’s Laurie Swami (center right) congratulates Ignace mayor Kim Baigrie (center left) on the community’s confirmation of its willingness to host a deep geologic repository for Canada’s spent nuclear fuel. (Photo: NWMO)
The township of Ignace in northwestern Ontario has indicated its willingness to host a potential deep geologic repository for Canada’s spent nuclear fuel. The town council voted unanimously on July 10 to pass a resolution indicating its willingness to participate in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO's) process for selecting a repository site, making it the first Canadian community to officially move forward with the next phase of a site selection process that began in 2010.
“We congratulate the township and its residents for reaching this important step and admire the thought and care that has gone into this process and into shaping what the project could look like in the community,” said Lise Morton, vice president of site selection at NWMO. “We could not have gotten to where we are today without the leadership and dedication to learning shown by the people of Ignace.”
“The residents of the township of Ignace have spoken loud and clear and we fully respect their direction as a council, and we clearly have now indicated our support through an official resolution to the NWMO based on the recommendations from our Willingness Ad Hoc Committee members,” said Ignace mayor Kim Baigrie. “We certainly understand that the endorsement of these recommendations does not mean that we are guaranteed and are going to host a [deep geologic repository], but it does allow Ignace to continue to move another step closer, now as a willing host community in the selection process by NWMO.
One of two sites: NWMO, which is tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, is also considering the municipality of South Bruce in southwestern Ontario as a potential repository site. That community is to hold a municipal referendum on its willingness to be a host site in October 2024.
In addition to its work with local governments, NWMO said that it is continuing to have discussions with the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in the northwest and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (comprising the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation) in the southwest. The tribal nations will need to indicate their own willingness to move forward with the process at their respective sites.
Next steps: A final decision on a repository site is expected from NWMO by the end of December of this year. Once a site is selected, the organization will begin a mandatory multiyear regulatory decision-making process, including an impact assessment and license applications.
In addition to willing host communities, NWMO said it must be confident that the selected site will meet stringent safety requirements, and that it can develop a safe, socially acceptable plan to transport the spent fuel from current, temporary storage to the site.
