About the site selection process
Overview
The site selection process for the deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel emerged through a two-year dialogue. It reflected the ideas, experience and best advice of a broad cross-section of Indigenous Peoples and Canadians who shared their thoughts on what an open, transparent, fair and inclusive process for making the decision would include. It was built on a set of guiding principles and was developed within our ethical and social framework.
The site selection process was community driven. It was designed to ensure the selected site is safe and secure and has informed and willing hosts.
After extensive technical study, we are confident the selected site is a safe place for a repository. The people of both Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace demonstrated support for moving ahead into the regulatory decision-making process.
A collaborative process
The site selection process for the used nuclear fuel repository required that communities take the initiative to enter and to move through the process. The process was collaborative. Interested communities were encouraged to engage with First Nations and Métis communities, as well as with municipalities in the surrounding area.
An adaptive process
During the site selection process, there were many opportunities to learn along the way. The process was adaptable to ensure the needs of individual communities were addressed as they considered the potential for the project to be sited in their area. This meant that different communities may have been at different points in the process at any given time, either because they decided to enter the process on different dates or because each took their own time at a given step.
