Last updated 5/14/2019
We do not have expropriation power.
The site selection is designed to ensure, above all, that the site selected is safe and secure, and has an informed and willing host.
We will continue to demonstrate our values of transparency, accountability and integrity throughout any potential land acquisition process, which will take place through collaborative dialogue with the appropriate parties.
More about Site Selection, Public Engagement, Environment, Safety and Security
Last updated 10/18/2016
There are a number of ways you can keep up-to-date about our progress. On an annual basis, we publish a five-year implementation plan that establishes the objectives and milestone activities for the next five years. Every year, we also publish an annual report and submit it to the Minister of Natural Resources Canada. It shows our progress over the previous year. If you live near a study area and wish to learn more about the project, you can visit one of our local offices or attend public events, such as open houses. Sometimes we also take part in community events, such as fairs or trade shows, where you could visit our booth. You can also attend community liaison committee (CLC) meetings. CLCs are committees set up by municipal councils and are made up of residents in the area. They are independent of the NWMO. Meetings and other public events are typically advertised in local newspapers and with local radio stations. Another way to stay up-to-date about our progress is by signing up for our email newsletters. And as new information becomes available, we post it on our website.
More about Public Engagement
We have a community-driven site selection process that is designed to ensure, above all, that any location selected is safe and secure, and has an informed and willing host. Best practice and experience suggest there are a range of approaches a potential host may use to demonstrate its willingness in a compelling manner. These might include documented support expressed through open citizen discussions, a telephone poll, online meetings or surveys, and/or a formal referendum.
New approaches may also emerge over the intervening years as societal expectations and decision-making processes continue to evolve. Communities will be encouraged to identify processes that meet their specific needs and demonstrate clearly to the NWMO whether the project has the support of citizens. As the siting process has evolved, and engagement has broadened to include First Nation, Métis and other communities in the area, the need for partnership to support the implementation of the project is emerging as an important objective. The project will only proceed with the involvement of the interested community, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, and surrounding communities working together to implement it.
More about Public Engagement, Site Selection
The preferred site must meet robust technical requirements focused on safety. It must also be appropriate, considering the social, economic, cultural and spiritual practices and preferences of those in the area. Initially, 22 communities expressed interest in learning about Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. Based on early assessments and dialogues, we selected a smaller number of areas for further studies. These areas showed strong potential for meeting strict safety requirements and for the project to align with the community’s long-term vision. Over time and through increasingly detailed technical and social studies and engagement, it will become clearer which areas have the strongest potential to safely host the project. Findings to date do not confirm suitability of any site, and no community has expressed willingness to host the project.
We are committed to ensuring the project is implemented in a way that fosters well-being and fits with the long-term vision for the area among people living there. The project will only proceed with the involvement of the community that expressed interest, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, and other surrounding communities. Surrounding communities have the potential to benefit from the location of the project in their area. It is a large infrastructure development that is expected to provide significant employment and income to the host region and province. With a project of this size and nature, there is also potential to contribute to social and economic pressures. For example, temporary workers during construction will need to be accommodated. These pressures will need to be carefully managed and addressed to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the community and area. Potentially affected surrounding communities, and First Nation and Métis communities will be engaged in the process. We will ensure necessary resources are available for their participation.
Yes. The project will only proceed with the involvement of the community that expressed interest, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, and other surrounding communities. Adaptive Phased Management is a large project and has the potential to both benefit and negatively impact a large area. Planning across a broad area will ensure benefits associated with the project such as employment and income are maximized, and any negative effects are minimized, mitigated and managed. Planning across a broad area will also help ensure that those who are potentially affected by the location of the project will have the means and opportunity to be involved in planning how the project will be implemented.
If an informed and willing host is not identified, then used nuclear fuel will continue to be safely stored at the interim storage facilities located at each nuclear reactor site. We would continue to work with Canadians to decide the best way forward for its safe, long-term management.
Adaptive Phased Management is approximately a $22.8-billion (2015 $) national infrastructure project. It will bring about significant economic benefits to the area where it is eventually located, including the community that initiated the area's involvement, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, surrounding municipalities, and the host province.
More about APM, Funding and Economics, Public Engagement, Site Selection
No. Communities taking part in the site selection process voluntarily expressed an interest in learning more about the project. As communities continue through the process, we provide resources (information and funding) to support their participation and reimburse expenses associated with the project. Resource programs are designed to ensure communities are able to thoroughly assess the benefits and impacts the project may have on their community. These programs will continue to evolve to ensure communities have the support they need at each step in the process. At various stages in the process, we have also provided funding to retroactively recognize communities' and organizations' contributions to advancing this national infrastructure project.
At various stages of the site selection process so far, we have introduced programs to acknowledge substantial contributions to Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. By design, the site selection process is designed to be driven by communities. Involvement and willingness to learn by municipalities, and First Nation and Metis communities has helped advance this important national infrastructure project.
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