Evaluating the Regulatory 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) is proposing the construction and operation of a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) to house approximately 5.9 million bundles of used nuclear fuel. This project, part of the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) plan, is projected to span 160 years. The proponent claims this facility will provide a permanent disposal solution, support Canada’s net-zero climate goals, and advance intergenerational equity by removing the burden of waste management from future generations. The project is currently being reviewed under an integrated impact assessment process, as detailed in the Initial Project Description.
Underlying Assumptions
The regulatory framework proposed by the NWMO relies on several key assumptions that warrant public scrutiny:
- The “one project, one assessment” model provides sufficient depth for both radiological safety and broad social impact.
- Existing reporting under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (NFWA) is functionally equivalent to the rigorous requirements of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA).
- Consent from the Township of Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) represents the “willingness” of the entire affected region.
- The “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” (ALARA) principle will prioritize safety over economic considerations throughout the 160-year lifecycle.
Community Assessment
Our assessment reveals significant concerns regarding the proponent’s narrative of “efficiency.” By attempting to decouple social and economic oversight from the federal IAA process, the NWMO may be shielding its financial agreements and community programs from independent scrutiny. This is particularly concerning for residents of Melgund Township, including Dyment and Borups Corners. Despite being less than 10 kilometers from the Revell site, these communities are treated as peripheral bystanders rather than primary stakeholders. The confidentiality of the WLON Hosting Agreement further prevents the public from understanding the full scope of regional commitments. For our community, these gaps matter because they create a “stigma effect” that could devalue property and strain local infrastructure without the protections or benefits afforded to official “host” communities. The 160-year timeline introduces extreme technical and social uncertainty that the current framework does not adequately address.
Path Forward
To ensure a transparent and equitable process, we recommend the following corrective measures:
- The proponent must provide a public summary or redacted version of the WLON Hosting Agreement to allow for meaningful regulatory assessment of social commitments.
- A formal framework for “intergenerational consent” must be developed, outlining how willingness will be reaffirmed by future generations over the project’s long lifespan.
- The federal Impact Assessment must maintain full oversight of social and economic programs, rejecting the proponent’s request for exemption under Section 7 of the IAA.
- Melgund Township must be recognized as a primary stakeholder with specific mitigation measures for transportation and infrastructure impacts.
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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