Critical Review of Inter-Agency Engagement Strategies
This article is part of a series exploring the views and perspectives of youth, artists and community members working with the Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project. This initiative is a climate entrepreneurship and arts-based community recreation program, developed through community consultation, engagement participation in the integrated impact assessment process for the NWMO’s proposed Deep Geological Repository for nuclear waste fuel.
What is Proposed
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has outlined a framework for engagement with federal and provincial departments to manage Canada’s used nuclear fuel. Key claims include ensuring compliance with the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (NFWA) and aligning the project with national interests and international commitments. The Initial Project Description details the roles of various agencies, such as Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) for policy direction and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for expert advice, positioning the NWMO as a central coordinator in the site selection and regulatory process.
Underlying Assumptions
- High-level bureaucratic alignment through forums and meetings is a sufficient proxy for local community safety and consent.
- Transport Canada’s sporadic involvement is acceptable during the planning phases, despite the immediate need for radioactive transport safety protocols.
- Local health officials should be utilized as promotional conduits for the proponent’s safety case rather than independent evaluators of long-term health impacts.
- International diplomatic optics regarding the Great Lakes are more critical than the localized hydrogeological protection of the Revell site watersheds.
Community Assessment
Our analysis reveals a regulatory vacuum that directly impacts the residents of Dyment and Borups Corners. The admission that Transport Canada’s engagement has been sporadic due to capacity constraints is deeply concerning for a project that will necessitate the transit of highly radioactive materials through Melgund Township via Highway 17. This creates a dangerous oversight gap during the most critical planning phases. Furthermore, the use of Medical Officers of Health to share the safety case suggests a strategy of social engineering aimed at neutralizing local anxiety rather than addressing substantive health risks. The focus on international optics and legislative challenges in the US highlights a prioritization of global reputation over the protection of the local environment and the social cohesion of unorganized communities.
Path Forward
To address these concerns, the proponent must immediately establish a formalized, multi-year engagement framework with Transport Canada to ensure that transportation safety standards and emergency response protocols are developed in lockstep with the repository design. Additionally, the federal and provincial governments must provide a transparent oversight mechanism for all consultation activities delegated to the NWMO, including public-facing audit reports to maintain the integrity of the Duty to Consult. Finally, we call for an independent peer review of socio-economic impact assessments and a detailed technical response to the environmental safety concerns raised by both local and international stakeholders.
About the Integrated Assessment Process
The federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has formally launched the integrated impact assessment process for the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project, a major national infrastructure initiative led by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
The proposed underground repository is designed to permanently contain and isolate used nuclear fuel in a secure geological formation. Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace have been selected as host communities for the project. The site is located approximately 21 kilometres southeast of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and 43 kilometres northwest of Ignace, Ontario, near Highway 17.
According to project materials, the repository would provide permanent storage for approximately 5.9 million bundles of used nuclear fuel. The full lifecycle of the project is expected to span roughly 160 years, including site preparation, construction, operations, closure, and long-term monitoring.
Integrated Federal Review
Major nuclear projects in Canada are subject to an integrated assessment process jointly led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). This “one project, one review” approach is intended to streamline regulatory oversight while ensuring rigorous evaluation of environmental, health, social, economic, and Indigenous rights impacts.
Under this framework, IAAC oversees the impact assessment requirements under the Impact Assessment Act, while the CNSC regulates nuclear safety under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. The CNSC will issue the initial site preparation licence and manage all subsequent nuclear licensing for the project’s duration.
The integrated assessment also includes a focus on potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples, including rights, land use, cultural practices, health, and socio-economic conditions. Where potential adverse effects are identified, the process is intended to identify mitigation measures to reduce or avoid harm.
Public Comment Period Now Open
The first public comment period for the project is currently open and will run until February 4, 2026. During this phase, the public is invited to provide feedback on the Summary of the Initial Project Description submitted by the NWMO. Submissions received during this period will inform IAAC’s summary of issues, which will guide the next stages of the impact assessment. All comments submitted become part of the public project record and are posted to the federal Impact Assessment Registry.
This plain-language summary is provided by ECO-STAR North and Art Borups Corners to support public engagement.
Disclaimer: The views and perspectives expressed in this article are solely those of the independent arts program led by ECO-STAR North and Art Borups Corners. They do not reflect the official positions of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) or the Government of Canada.
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