Ignace Council Moves Forward with NWMO’s Nuclear Waste Repository Plan
Ignace, ON – The town of Ignace has taken a decisive step in the potential establishment of Canada’s largest nuclear waste storage facility by voting to advance in the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) site selection process. This decision, endorsed by Ignace council, intensifies the competition with Teeswater in the Municipality of South Bruce, where a crucial referendum in October 2024 will determine the fate of another proposed deep geological repository (DGR) site.
On Wednesday, Ignace council formally supported a recommendation put forth by its willingness committee to continue participating in the NWMO’s site selection process. This endorsement reflects strong community backing but does not confirm Ignace as the chosen site for the repository. The NWMO is concurrently evaluating Teeswater as a potential location, with a final decision slated for later this year.
For Teeswater, the upcoming October referendum looms large. Scheduled for October 28, 2024, this referendum will gauge local sentiment on whether South Bruce should host the NWMO’s proposed DGR. Success requires a majority “yes” vote from participants, with a turnout of at least 50 percent. Should Teeswater be selected, the community stands to benefit significantly, with projections of hundreds of high-paying jobs and $418 million in subsidies over the project’s lifecycle. Even a “no” vote would secure $4 million in compensation, though it would forfeit the long-term economic benefits associated with hosting the facility.
The proposed repository, designed to store millions of bundles of spent nuclear fuel 600 meters underground, has sparked considerable debate regarding safety and environmental impacts. Local advocacy group Protecting Our Waterways – No Nuclear Waste has voiced staunch opposition, labeling the NWMO’s plan as “untested, unsustainable, and unwanted in our community.” In recent developments, the South Bruce Community Liaison Committee reviewed the municipality’s hosting agreement with NWMO earlier this month.
Integral to the decision-making process are nearby Indigenous communities, including the Saugeen First Nation, whose approval the NWMO seeks. Chief Conrad Ritchie of Saugeen has indicated that no official stance will be taken until after discussions with representatives from the Ojibway of the Nawash First Nation.
Should Ignace or Teeswater be chosen, construction of the repository is projected to commence in 2033, with operational activities slated to begin in the early 2040s. This timeline underscores the far-reaching implications for both communities, potentially transforming Teeswater from a quiet agricultural community into a nucleus of nuclear waste management activities.
As the debate unfolds and decision day approaches, both Ignace and Teeswater brace for profound changes that could reshape their economic landscapes and community dynamics for generations to come. Stay tuned for updates as this pivotal chapter in Ontario’s nuclear waste management strategy continues to unfold.
Ignace, Ontario, located in the picturesque Lake of the Woods region, is known for its natural beauty and small-town charm. As the town navigates the complexities of potential nuclear waste management, residents remain engaged in discussions that will shape their community’s future.
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