Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area

NWMO president and vice-president visit Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation to continue siting conversation

Laurie Swami inside a seaplane.

NWMO President and CEO Laurie Swami joined Ignace Mayor Penny Lucas for a flight into White Otter Castle, an iconic northern landmark.

September 27, 2021

Ignace area, Ont.

Share
Laurie Swami inside a seaplane.

NWMO President and CEO Laurie Swami joined Ignace Mayor Penny Lucas for a flight into White Otter Castle, an iconic northern landmark.

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.”

 About the NWMO

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel inside a deep geological repository, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

Founded in 2002, the NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders that are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it. The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and two areas remain in our site selection process: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area in southern Ontario.

Sign up for NWMO news and updates

Subscribe and receive NWMO news, reports, updates and more delivered to your inbox.