Public Opposition to Revell DGR Process

Question: What are commenters saying about the federal government in the impact assessment process?

Executive Summary

Public sentiment regarding the federal government’s role in the Revell Site Deep Geological Repository (DGR) impact assessment process is overwhelmingly negative. Commenters, particularly Indigenous Nations and local residents, characterize the process as opaque, rushed, and fundamentally flawed. The primary grievances involve the exclusion of waste transportation from the federal scope, the perceived disregard for Indigenous sovereignty and Treaty #3 rights, and the inadequacy of the 30-day public comment period. Many stakeholders argue that the federal government is failing its constitutional duties by allowing the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) to dictate the terms of the assessment.

Detailed Analysis

The impact assessment process is viewed by many as a ‘sham’ designed to manufacture consent rather than evaluate risk. The Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT3) and other First Nations have asserted that the federal government is ignoring the Manito Aki Inaakonigewin (MAI) and failing to harmonize federal processes with inherent Indigenous laws. Furthermore, the exclusion of transportation from the federal scope is frequently cited as ‘project splitting,’ a tactic used to avoid assessing the risks of moving high-level radioactive waste across thousands of kilometers of accident-prone northern highways.

Evidence from Public Registry

• Indigenous Jurisdiction: The GCT3 and other Nations argue that the federal government ignores their inherent authority and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) [Comment Ref: 705, 660].
• Transportation Risks: Numerous commenters demand that the federal government include the transportation of used nuclear fuel in the impact assessment, citing the high frequency of accidents on Highway 17 [Comment Ref: 609, 623, 274].
• Procedural Inadequacy: The 30-day review period is widely criticized as insufficient for a project with a 160-year lifecycle and million-year hazard profile [Comment Ref: 434, 590, 613].

Technical Deficiencies & Gaps

Internal analysis confirms that the proponent’s current approach to scoping is narrow. By treating transportation as an ‘incidental activity,’ the NWMO avoids federal scrutiny of the most significant public-facing risk. Our review indicates that the proponent has failed to provide a comprehensive ‘Cumulative Effects Assessment’ that includes the impact of the project on the unorganized territories of Melgund Township, which are in closer proximity to the site than the designated ‘host’ community of Ignace [Analysis: Section C].

Recommendations & Mandates

We strongly recommend that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) mandate the inclusion of all transportation corridors within the federal impact assessment scope. The federal government must ensure that the assessment process is not merely a procedural exercise but a substantive evaluation of risk that includes the perspectives of all impacted communities, not just those with signed hosting agreements.

We strongly recommend that the federal government establish a formal ‘Jurisdictional Harmonization Agreement’ with Treaty #3 Nations to ensure that Anishinaabe laws are integrated into the regulatory framework. This is essential to uphold the Honour of the Crown and ensure that the project does not proceed in violation of constitutional obligations.

Conclusion

The federal government faces a significant crisis of legitimacy regarding the Revell DGR. Unless the IAAC expands the scope of the assessment to include transportation and meaningfully integrates Indigenous jurisdiction, the project risks sustained legal and social opposition that could jeopardize its long-term viability.

About the Author

Art Borups Corners

Administrator

Art Borup’s Corners is a northern arts incubator based in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario, where community-led creativity, land-based practice, and digital innovation come together. Rooted in the cultural rhythms of the boreal forest and shaped by years of grassroots organizing across Ontario, Manitoba, Nunavut, and Minnesota, Borup’s Corners supports artists, youth, and community members through participatory storytelling, climate-focused projects, and creative entrepreneurship. From wild blueberry walks to immersive exhibitions and applied AI research, our seasonal programs and artist residencies foster connection, skill-building, and self-determined expression—all grounded in place, culture, and care.

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