In November 2024, the NWMO announced we had selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the potential host communities for the future site for Canada’s deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

In the siting region that was not selected, neighbouring municipal and Indigenous communities led significant, years-long siting activities. In such cases, the communities were eligible for funding to recognize their leadership and contributions to Canada’s plan and support investments in community well-being and sustainability.

With the 2024 site selection announcement, milestone payments were distributed to communities with hosting agreements. The Municipality of South Bruce in southern Ontario received an exit payment in recognition of years of consultation and engagement to help site Canada’s deep geological repository.

The Municipality of Central Huron, a neighbouring community, was eligible for $750,000.

The Township of Huron-Kinloss, a neighbouring community, was eligible for $750,000.

Several Indigenous communities were also eligible for community investments. The NWMO respects the inherent rights that Indigenous communities have to data sovereignty and therefore will not be releasing the value of these investments.

In recognition of their leadership and contributions to Canada’s plan, the municipal and Indigenous communities that led siting activities in areas that were screened out were eligible for funding to support investments in community well-being and sustainability.

These investments were made to a community well-being reserve fund (or equivalent).

The communities of Constance Lake First Nation, Hornepayne and Manitouwadge were each eligible for $700,000 as a one-time investment in well-being.

The neighbouring communities of Chapleau Cree First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation and Missanabie Cree First Nation were each eligible to receive $350,000.

The community of White River, which exited the site selection process in 2017 but continued as a neighbouring community, was eligible for $600,000.

The community of Long Lake #58 First Nation was eligible to receive $200,000.

The Indigenous organization Red Sky Métis Independent Nation was eligible to receive $200,000.

In December 2017, we recognized the communities that led Preliminary Assessment studies and engagement in the area of Blind River and Elliot Lake, Ont. for their leadership in advancing Canada’s plan. This announcement was made at the conclusion of studies in the area, which showed limited potential to meet the requirements of the project.

In recognition of their leadership, the municipalities and First Nations that led siting activities in the area were eligible for funding to support investments in community sustainability and well-being.

The communities of Blind River and Elliot Lake and Sagamok First Nation were eligible to receive $600,000.

The neighbouring communities of Spanish and The North Shore, Ont. were eligible to receive $300,000 as a contribution to their community well-being reserve funds.

In July 2015, we recognized communities that actively participated in Preliminary Assessment studies and engagement in the areas of  Schreiber, Ont., and Creighton, Sask.

We concluded studies in these areas in March 2015, after geological field studies showed limited potential for finding suitable sites for a deep geological repository.

The following communities were active participants in Phase 2 initial studies and were eligible to receive $250,000 in recognition funding: Creighton, Sask.; Denare Beach, Sask.; Flin Flon, Man.; Pays Plat First Nation, Ont.; Schreiber, Ont.; Terrace Bay, Ont.