Opposition to potential nuclear waste storage site in northwestern Ontario mounts as decision nears
CBC
The organization tasked with managing the storage of Canada's nuclear waste in the country's first deep geological repository is facing growing opposition in northwestern Ontario.
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is expected to choose its preferred location by the end of this year, after narrowing it down to these two:
On Wednesday, a coalition of a dozen First Nations from northern Ontario led a rally in Thunder Bay, where more than 100 protesters gathered to sing, drum and voice their resistance.
Last week, the chiefs sent an open letter to Laurie Swami, president and CEO of the NWMO, saying "no" to the storage and transport of nuclear waste through their traditional territories.
CBC has heard a number of concerns from groups opposed to the project in recent weeks, pertaining to the waste's transportation, the integrity of the storage containers, the safety of employees transporting the waste and working at the repository, and the environmental impact.
We the Nuclear Free North has tracked more than a dozen resolutions from municipalities, First Nations and other organizations expressing opposition to building the repository near Ignace.
Interview requests were made to the NWMO on Sept. 16, Sept. 22 and Sept. 30 about the project's status and the planned rally in Thunder Bay, but a response was not received by publication time. However, the organization issued a statement on Wednesday in response to the letter from the chiefs.
"The interests, concerns and counsel of Indigenous peoples have been an integral part of the NWMO's work from the very beginning. It began as we studied options for the long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel, and it has continued throughout the implementation of all aspects of Canada's plan," it says.
"The NWMO is reaching out to the chiefs who signed the letter and offering to meet with them to share information and answer their questions."
The organization has called the repository a $26-billion project that is expected to create hundreds of jobs. As of last fall, the repository's construction was expected to start by 2033, with the site operational in the early 2040s.
Last year, leaders from Ignace, Wabigoon Lake and South Bruce were taken on separate trips, paid for by the NWMO, to tour the world's first deep geological repository in Finland.
The American Nuclear Society reported last month that a trial run has begun at the Onkalo site and will last several months.
This summer, the Township of Ignace formally agreed to be a host community for the repository after 77 per cent of respondents in a community vote said yes to it.
Jake Pastore, outreach lead for the township and president of communications company Summit PCG, said the township is eagerly awaiting the NWMO's decision, but hopes others in the region recognize the project's benefits.
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