A spokesperson with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is sharing some insights into the decision to locate a facility for the storage of used nuclear fuel in northern Ontario.
The NWMO announced last week that the Township of Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in northwestern Ontario will host Canada’s $26-billion deep geological repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel. This marks the culmination of a 14-year site selection process, during which the Municipality of South Bruce was a strong contender.
NWMO spokesperson Carolyn Fell spoke with CKNXNewsToday.ca about the decision, emphasizing the importance of consent-based site selection.
“We are incredibly grateful for the consultation with South Bruce and Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) over many years. While South Bruce residents narrowly supported hosting the DGR in a recent referendum, we did not see a path forward,” Fell explained.
The NWMO's final decision followed months of deliberation. Earlier this month, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation confirmed its willingness to move forward in the process, complementing Ignace’s earlier decision. Meanwhile, SON expressed frustration with the NWMO's handling of the process, stating that “commitments to collaborate were not upheld.” SON leaders called the announcement a “historic victory” for their community’s right to self-determination.
Fell stressed that South Bruce’s willingness was not the determining factor. “This decision was based on finding a safe, accessible site with fully informed and willing host communities. Both Ignace and Wabigoon Lake meet these criteria,” she said
The NWMO plans to enter regulatory phases in 2025, with licensing expected to take up to seven years and construction another seven. Operations could begin in the 2040s, transporting spent fuel from nuclear reactors across Canada, including those at Bruce Power near Tiverton.
For South Bruce, the decision brings closure and an opportunity to move forward. The community will receive $10 million in payments for participating in the selection process.
The DGR in Ignace-Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation will become Canada’s long-term solution for managing nuclear waste, aligning with international scientific consensus on safe storage methods. NWMO President Laurie Swami called it “a historic moment that addresses an environmental challenge and supports climate change goals.”
