Our Submission on the NWMO Deep Geological Repository
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is moving forward with the integrated assessment for the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON). This project represents a multi-generational commitment, with a lifecycle expected to span over 160 years—encompassing site preparation, construction, operations, and centuries of environmental monitoring.
At Art Borups Corners, we believe that a project of this historic magnitude requires a review process that is as robust and comprehensive as the proposal itself. To contribute to this goal, we have prepared a 96-page submission of our comments for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) review process.
The Need for a Proportional Review Period
Our primary concern regarding the current process is the timeline. The IAAC has provided a 30-day window for the public to review and comment on the Summary of the Initial Project Description and the thousands of pages of detailed technical documentation that support it.
For a project that will impact the landscape and communities of Northwestern Ontario for more than a century and a half, and costs tens of billions of dollars a one-month consultation period is simply not proportional to the complexity of the data. This timeline creates a significant barrier for small programs, volunteer-led organizations, and local communities with limited resources who wish to provide the “meaningful and informed” feedback that the Impact Assessment Act requires.
Our Methodology: A Section-by-Section Review
Our submission is not a critique of the project’s existence, but rather a rigorous, section-by-section analysis of the proponent’s Initial Project Description (IPD). Our goal is to help ensure the project design is as strong as possible by identifying “transparency gaps” and “points of tension” that require further clarification, including:
- Baseline Data Consistency: We noted that the IPD acknowledges that Indigenous social, cultural, and health data are not yet fully represented. We believe completing this data is essential to fulfilling the promise of “informed consent.”
- Regional Perspectives: We suggest expanding the focus to more fully include neighboring First Nations, Métis communities, and municipalities along transportation routes to ensure a truly regional understanding of the project.
- Long-Term Regulatory Certainty: Given the 160-year lifespan, we are looking for more detail on how post-closure monitoring and intergenerational equity will be managed as technology and social expectations evolve over the next century.
- Technical Specificity: We are encouraging the move from general historical studies toward more granular, site-specific geological and environmental data to ensure the highest safety standards.
Read Our Draft Submission
We are sharing our draft narrative assessment publicly to encourage a broader dialogue. We believe that by pointing out where the documentation needs more detail, we are helping to ensure that the final assessment is neutral, evidence-based, and serves the long-term safety and interests of all residents in the region.
Click here to read our draft submission.
Looking Ahead
This is only the first stage of a very long journey. We thank the IAAC and the CNSC for the opportunity to participate in this initial phase, and we look forward to many more opportunities to provide constructive feedback as the project moves forward.
The deadline for this initial comment period is February 4, 2026. We encourage everyone to stay informed and stay engaged.
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