Canada issues notice about nuclear waste repository as possible national interest project

Canada issues notice about nuclear waste repository as possible national interest project

$26-billion project proposed near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation

Canada’s first deep geological repository (DGR) for nuclear waste may be designated as a project of national interest, meaning possible streamlining of federal approvals for the $26-billion endeavour.

The federal government first announced the possible designation for the project — proposed near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in northwestern Ontario — in June. The site could see the country’s nuclear waste buried hundreds of metres underground.

Notice of the possible designation was published in the federal government’s official newspaper, the Canada Gazette, on Saturday.

The federal Building Canada Act “enables the government to streamline federal approval processes for projects determined to be in the national interest, helping such projects to move forward efficiently while protecting Canada’s environment and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the Canada Gazette notice says.

Officials in Ottawa provided comments on the project in a news release on Friday.

“The deep geological repository project is the type of strategic, nation-building infrastructure that can strengthen Canada's clean energy future, support investment, and provide lasting benefits for Indigenous communities and future generations,” wrote Dominic LeBlanc, president of the King's Privy Council for Canada and minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, intergovernmental affairs, internal trade and One Canadian Economy.

Tim Hodgson, minister of energy and natural resources, called Canada “a Tier-1 nuclear nation.”

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“The proposed deep geological repository project would support the long-term sustainability of Canada's nuclear sector, strengthen energy security, and create lasting economic opportunities for local communities and across Ontario and beyond,” Hodgson wrote.

The project is still going through a federal impact assessment and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission licensing, alongside a parallel regulatory assessment and approval process by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.

‘Federal government, think again’

The DGR has come under heavy scrutiny by environmental advocates and First Nation leaders over concerns with the storage, transportation and maintenance of nuclear waste.

We the Nuclear Free North is a coalition of groups that’s spoken out against the project for years.

Brennain Lloyd is project co-ordinator of Northwatch, which is part of We the Nuclear Free North.

Her biggest concern with the potential fast-tracking of federal approvals is whether the long-term effects of nuclear waste transportation will be considered, as this is not mentioned in the Canada Gazette listing, she explained.

“In the Gazette notice, the federal government describes the project as being a 160-year project — so that means we lose any assessment of the long-term safety issues, the long-term impacts of this project,” she said in an interview with CBC News on Monday.

There have been no projects accelerated under the Building Canada Act at this time, though several have been identified as potential contenders, including:

As for the DGR, “we have to speak out and we have to say, ‘federal government, think again, ’” Lloyd said.

“The NWMO's [Nuclear Waste Management Organization] nuclear waste transportation and burial project has to have a full, careful, independent, expert public review.”

For the federal government’s part, it says the “licenses issued by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act are not included in Schedule 2 of the Building Canada Act, meaning that the CNSC retains its independent, arms-length decision making role to ensure the project will be built safely and in accordance with international treaties.”

‘This project couldn't be moving fast enough’

Meanwhile, the Township of Ignace has been busy preparing for the project’s possible approval.

A $50-million Centre of Expertise — focused on nuclear waste research and public engagement — is expected to open in 2028.

As well, the community is expecting its population of about 1,200 people to double or triple; construction on its first-ever subdivision is hoped to start soon.

This comes as the municipality readies for a municipal election on Oct. 26 where it’s guaranteed to be getting a new mayor, as incumbent Kimberly Baigrie is not running again.

“It's a very exciting time to be in Ignace,” said Jake Pastore, the township’s communication and outreach lead, in an interview with CBC News on Monday.

“This project couldn't be moving fast enough. We are very excited about the developments that are starting in the Township of Ignace. We're working very closely with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.”

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When asked about concerns about whether fast-tracked approvals could come at the expense of safety considerations, Pastore said “to say that there’s going to be any shortcuts would be wrong.”

“Canada has an amazing standards and regulatory framework in place for nuclear,” he said. “For those that are still concerned, I think that there's doors and windows that are open to be able to make sure that those are addressed by the proper regulatory assessments.”

A public comment period on the potential designation of the DGR as a project of national interest is open until Oct. 26. People can email DGRComment-CommentaireDSCGP@mpo-bgp.gc.ca.

Sarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca.