Canada plans long-term nuclear waste site in small Ontario town
Canada’s nuclear waste management agency has chosen Ignace, Ontario, as the future home for a deep geological repository to store high-level nuclear waste, pending approval and partnerships with Indigenous communities.
William Leiss reports for The Walrus.
In short:
- The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) selected Ignace, within the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation’s territory, for Canada’s first deep geological repository.
- The site aims to store spent nuclear fuel safely for up to a million years in the Revell Batholith rock formation, located 43 kilometers from the town.
- The decision follows years of community consultations, though opposition remains among some First Nations and nearby residents.
Key quote:
“The host community, the local geographic community in which the facility is to be located, must be informed and willing to accept the project.”
— NWMO guiding principle
Why this matters:
High-level nuclear waste remains hazardous for millennia. Finding a secure, long-term storage solution is a high priority for Canada and other countries as they expand nuclear energy capacity to meet climate goals. However, addressing ecological, health and cultural concerns continues to challenge communities involved.
Learn more: Engineers grapple with building nuclear waste storage that lasts 100,000 years
