Learn about baseline studies at community open houses

Workers conducting baseline data collection.

Baseline studies help us understand current conditions and measure potential future changes from the project.

May 15, 2026

Toronto, Ont.

Baseline studies help us understand current conditions and measure potential future changes from the project.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) will host community open houses in Ignace, Ont., on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and in Dryden, Ont., on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. These events will provide a fresh opportunity for residents and those interested in the Deep Geological Repository for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project to learn more about social and environmental baseline studies currently in progress. This work helps us understand current conditions and measure potential future changes from the project.

“We are grateful to the people and communities who keep showing interest in the project. With these community open houses, we want to offer another platform for sustained community engagement and show interested individuals and organizations how the project is progressing in a manner that protects people and the environment,” said Allan Webster, NWMO Vice-President of Regulatory Approvals.

Active public participation plays a central role as the Deep Geological Repository for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project has entered into the federal regulatory process. Continued community engagement throughout the regulatory process will support open dialogue and mutual learning, helping us ensure that local knowledge and perspectives inform our baseline studies and the rest of our work.

These events will also give attendees the chance to learn more about the diet and land-use survey. There will be opportunities to complete in-person surveys and interviews to gather data on land-based habits.

More information about the community open houses

Ignace: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ignace Learn More Centre, 304 Main St., Ignace.

Dryden: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Dryden Hotel and Conference Centre, 349 Government St., Dryden.

Refreshments will be served at both events.

Questions or comments

If you have any questions or comments regarding the community open houses, please contact RegulatoryFeedback@nwmo.ca.

About the regulatory process

The purpose of the regulatory process is for the safety of the repository to be independently confirmed by regulators, including the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. The process follows strict rules and will look at how the deep geological repository could affect the environment, health, socio-economics and Indigenous rights before it can be approved.

About the NWMO

Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management.