Canada's Plan for Used Nuclear Fuel

In 2013, the Township of Huron-Kinloss agreed to learn more about Canada's plan for used nuclear fuel and how the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) proposed to store it in a Deep Geological Repository (DGR). Huron-Kinloss was one of several communities being considered as a host community through the site-selection process.

In January 2020, the NWMO announced they had secured the sufficient amount of land in Municipality of South Bruce  to continue studies for the DGR. This announcement meant that the Township of Huron-Kinloss was removed from the site-selection process and no longer considered a host community for the project.

Huron-Kinloss No Longer Considered a Host Community for the NWMO Deep Geological Repository

Although lands in Huron-Kinloss are not being considered for the potential repository site, the NWMO acknowledges that Huron-Kinloss directly abuts South Bruce and will be impacted by the DGR if South Bruce becomes the chosen community. 

Huron-Kinloss is committed to carrying out its due diligence on the DGR project to determine how its municipality, residents, farms, tourists and businesses will be best protected and served in determining whether Huron-Kinloss can support the DGR  as neighbouring community. Huron-Kinloss developed a Partnership Working Group to work closely with the NWMO through this process.

The Terms of Reference is now available. 

 

Today, the NWMO is engaging with two potential siting areas, including First Nation and Métis communities in the area, interested in learning more about Canada’s plan. The Township of Ignace in northwestern Ontario, and the Municipality of South Bruce in southern Ontario are considered potential host areas for the project. 

The NWMO plans to select a site in 2023. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts working together with the local community, municipalities and First Nations and Métis people to implement it.

  The Municipality of South Bruce Continues to Learn More
 

South Bruce Council and the South Bruce Community Liaison Committee continues to learn more about the Adaptive Phased Management project.

  • South Bruce launches community consultation on willingness process: The Municipality of South Bruce has hired GHD Limited to consult the community on how they would like willingness to be measured. While the NWMO is developing its willingness criteria for the two communities in the site selection process, locally, the Municipality of South Bruce and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation are working independently to identify how they will each determine community willingness to host the project. The GHD presentation focused solely on the South Bruce process.
  • NWMO Resumes Borehole Drilling in South Bruce: In April 2021, borehole drilling, coring and testing started in South Bruce. The drilling activities are part of scientific studies the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is doing to evaluate the geology of the potential siting area for a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel. Once borehole drilling and testing is complete, the NWMO will share progress and findings with community members.
  • Well Water Sampling: The NWMO launched expanded water well sampling in South Bruce, reflective of community input. This is a first step in implementing our environmental baseline monitoring program, which was co-designed with the municipality. This program will provide residents with assurance that their water will be carefully safeguarded, and help landowners and the NWMO better understand water resources and water quality in South Bruce around the potential repository site.
  • South Bruce's List of Guiding Principles: South Bruce Council endorsed a list of guiding principles to assist the Municipality in their ongoing engagement in the Adaptive Phased Management Project
  • Transportation Survey: The NWMO is seeking input from the public to help guide and shape future plans for the transportation of used nuclear fuel in Canada with the release of the draft Transportation Planning Framework: Moving Forward Together - An Invitation to Review and is seeking feedback and input on the framework from Canadians and Indigenous people. Take the Transportation Survey.

 
 The Township of Ignace Continues to Learn More

The Ignace Community Nuclear Liaison Committee continues to learn more about the Adaptive Phased Management project and the potential host the DGR. 

Work in current phase begins with initial studies such as geophysical and environmental surveys to further assess potential suitability. Studies to further assess potential to foster well-being in the area continue.

Based on findings from these initial surveys, the NWMO may conclude studies in areas with lower potential to meet technical and community well-being requirements.

They will then work with communities in areas that continue in the process to plan more intensive field studies.

As studies are completed, the NWMO will publish the details here.

Huron-Kinloss Nuclear Waste Community Advisory Committee

In light of the Township of Huron-Kinloss no longer in the site selection process, Huron-Kinloss Council as agreed to dissolve the Nuclear Waste Community Advisory Committee (NWCAC). We thank our Committee Members for their dedication to keeping the community informed on the Adaptive Phased Management Project. 

The Township will continue to keep our residents informed as future decisions unfold with this project.

Nuclear Waste Community Advisory Committee Agendas and Minutes