Analyzing the Proposed Engagement Framework for the Revell DGR
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 its strategy for future public and stakeholder engagement during the regulatory decision-making process. The plan establishes a tiered approach: “Involve” for the Township of Ignace, which includes direct collaboration and local knowledge integration, and “Inform” for nearby communities and the general public, which focuses on updates and feedback opportunities. The proponent claims this approach ensures accessibility and responsiveness through the use of plain-language materials, fact sheets, and adaptive engagement methods.
Underlying Assumptions
- Proximity to the proposed site does not necessarily equate to a requirement for direct collaboration or “Involve” status.
- Plain-language materials and online content are sufficient substitutes for raw technical data in communicating project risks.
- The hierarchical distinction between a “host township” and “nearby communities” is an equitable framework for regional participation.
- Feedback gathered through “Learn More” agreements provides a meaningful substitute for formal regulatory influence.
Community Assessment
Our assessment identifies a hierarchical distinction that potentially marginalizes residents in Melgund Township, including the communities of Dyment and Borups Corners. Despite being located less than 10 kilometers from the Revell site, these communities are relegated to the passive “Inform” category. This is technically and ethically concerning because physical proximity dictates that these immediate neighbors will bear the brunt of localized environmental, transportation, and radiological risks. The reliance on “plain-language” materials can act as a strategic obfuscation, sanitizing high-consequence risks and replacing rigorous data with emotive narratives. Furthermore, the lack of a concrete mechanism to integrate public input into the Initial Project Description or the final project design suggests that engagement may be viewed as a public relations exercise rather than a substantive technical consultation. The use of the term “proportionate” allows the proponent to unilaterally determine the depth of consultation, potentially silencing the voices of those most physically vulnerable to the project’s long-term footprint.
Path Forward
To improve the integrity of the process, the proponent should redefine engagement levels to move “nearby communities” and regional interest groups from a passive status to an active “Consult” or “Involve” status. This is critical for communities within the same watershed or along transportation corridors. Additionally, the NWMO must provide a transparent “Feedback-to-Action” framework that explicitly details how input will be documented, analyzed, and integrated into project design. Clarifying the legal and functional nature of “Learn More” agreements is also essential to ensure they are not perceived as barriers to critical inquiry. Proximity, rather than political boundaries or hosting status, must dictate the level of regulatory involvement.
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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