Laurie Swami, President and CEO of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), recently visited the Township of Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation as part of her commitment to having ongoing conversations with communities in the site selection process for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel. Lise Morton, NWMO Vice-President of Site Selection, was also part of this visit.

Business and municipal leaders from the Ignace area met with the NWMO at the Ignace Learn More Centre, and Ms. Swami was also able to offer her congratulations to Darryl Tucker, who recently accepted the position of Volunteer Fire Chief.

“Meeting with the people of Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation is always a pleasure,” Ms. Swami said. “It is important to talk to people in the siting areas about this significant environmental infrastructure project. Hearing the insights of people who live in the siting areas is very important and is something I value a great deal. These conversations help inform our work.”

Both Ms. Swami and Ms. Morton visited Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, where they discussed water protection, among other key topics. Ms. Swami and Ms. Morton also joined some NWMO staff and Ignace Mayor Penny Lucas for a flight into White Otter Castle, an iconic northern landmark.

“Northwestern Ontario is beautiful, and I am always happy to have the opportunity to visit,” said Ms. Morton. “Connecting in person again after so many months meeting virtually has been a breath of fresh air. The coming months will be very important. The siting communities will be informing us about how they will determine willingness, so it is important that we continue to have meaningful discussions with regional leaders and with the people in the north.”