Activities in Phase 1 focused on desktop studies done with information that was readily available. Key activities in this phase included the following, many of which were completed in parallel:

1. The NWMO and the accountable authorities in each community agreed on how the work would proceed.

Preliminary assessments required us to work in close partnership with each community to support learning and reflection about the project and to ensure questions were addressed. Together with the community's mayor and council or chief and council, we came to agreements on how the first phase of work would proceed. This included identifying:

• The work activities that would take place.
• How we and the community would work together to involve citizens, surrounding communities and Indigenous Peoples.
• The support (funding and resources) that would be provided to the community to participate as a partner in this work.

2. Scientific and technical studies were conducted to further explore the potential suitability of the geology in each area.

The initial screening conducted in Step 2 identified large areas in each community that were potentially suitable for hosting a deep geological repository. In Step 3: Phase 1, our staff, supported by contractors, conducted a detailed technical and scientific review of available information to further refine the findings from the initial screening. Through the application of additional site evaluation factors, smaller potentially suitable siting areas were identified.

This work included detailed review and interpretation of the geoscientific characteristics of each candidate area, complemented by specific studies such as detailed review of available geological information, as well as interpretation of available airborne geophysical surveys and lineaments studies (faults and fractures).

The studies completed during this phase of work also considered key geoscientific characteristics and constraints that could be used to narrow down the potential siting areas. For example, constraints could include protected areas, geological setting or the presence of natural resources.

In addition to scientific and technical studies used to further explore the suitability of the geology in each area, preliminary studies were conducted to examine engineering, transportation and environmental and safety considerations.

3. The potential effects of the project on the long-term well-being of each community were further explored through desktop studies and engagement with community residents.

NWMO staff, supported by contractors with expertise in the field, worked with community liaison committees and other community members to assemble information about the environmental, social, economic and cultural conditions of each community, as well as objectives, issues and concerns. This information provided a starting point for discussions with each community to explore the potential effects of the project and opportunities to achieve community objectives. It also helped us identify what plans would need to be put in place to implement the project in a way that would foster community well-being.

4. Engagement activities in the communities involved community members in the assessments and in learning about the project. Learning activities continued and expanded in each area.

We worked with community liaison committees and experts in a variety of fields to support learning activities in the communities. These included community liaison committee meetings, discussions with service groups, open houses, participation in community events and a Learn More office in the community.

5. The NWMO and the communities took stock of work to date and findings about the potential suitability of each siting area.

Information collected during the activities outlined above was summarized for each community in order to assist in stock-taking. Communities with low potential to be suitable for the project were screened out of the process at this point.