This photo is a rendering of the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) at the Revell Site, designed to safely store nuclear waste deep underground for long-term environmental protection.
Federal Impact Assessment Process Begins for Canada’s Deep Geological Repository Project
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, with personal or sensitive information removed prior to publication.
Participant Funding Available
To support meaningful participation, the federal Participant Funding Program is available to eligible individuals, organizations, and groups. Funding may be used to offset costs associated with reviewing project documents, preparing submissions, and participating in early engagement activities. Costs incurred during the first comment period may be reimbursed retroactively if funding is approved.
Public Information Sessions
IAAC is also hosting several virtual public information sessions to provide an overview of the project and the assessment process. Sessions will be held in January 2026 and are open to the public, with English-language sessions scheduled on multiple dates and French-language sessions available upon request.
If you are interested in attending an English session, please use the links provided below:
- January 8, 2026 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. [Central Time] 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. [Eastern Time]
[Link to virtual session]; and - January 14, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. [Central Time] 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. [Eastern Time]
[Link to virtual session]; and - January 14, 2026 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. [Central Time] 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. [Eastern Time]
[Link to virtual session]; and
If you have any questions, please contact IAAC at nuclearwaste-dechetsnucleaires@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.
Additional information, including project documents, comment submission tools, and funding applications, is available through the Impact Assessment Registry under Reference Number 88774.
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