Can Our Local Services Handle the Load?
Living here in Northwestern Ontario, we are used to being self-reliant. Whether you are in Melgund Township, Borups Corners, or Dyment, we know that keeping the lights on and the roads cleared often comes down to local grit. However, with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) proposing the Revell Site for a Deep Geological Repository right next door, we need to talk about the systems that keep our communities running.
This week, we are looking at the “Infrastructure and Services” section of the initial project description. This isn’t just about the site itself; it is about whether the roads, water systems, and emergency crews we rely on every day can handle a major industrial project.
What We Are Learning
The NWMO has released a baseline study describing what currently exists in our region. They acknowledge that the infrastructure in Ignace—specifically the sewage treatment plant—is nearing the end of its 50-year lifespan and will need replacing within a decade. They also note that childcare in Dryden is operating at full capacity and that housing is tight across the board.
For those of us in unincorporated areas like Melgund, the report correctly identifies that we rely mostly on private wells, septic fields, and the goodwill of volunteer fire departments. It paints a picture of a region that is currently managing, but often just barely, with aging assets and limited social services.
The Reality Check
What is being promised: The proponent suggests that their current understanding of our infrastructure is “sufficiently complete” for this stage of the Impact Assessment. They plan to update these studies between now and 2027.
What we need to verify: Knowing what exists isn’t the same as knowing what will break under pressure. The report admits that emergency medical services (EMS) staff are already facing “burnout” and that Ignace’s wastewater system is fragile. If the project brings in hundreds of new workers, “sufficient” data might not prevent a service collapse. We need to verify if the current tax base and volunteer pools can actually support this growth without breaking.
The Path Forward
The Gap: The report identifies that critical assets, like the Ignace wastewater plant, are aging out, and that regional housing is at capacity. However, there is currently no concrete plan showing how the influx of project workers won’t accelerate the failure of these systems or displace locals from affordable housing.
The Solution: We are calling for a quantitative “Project-Induced Demand” study. We need the NWMO to commit to a cost-sharing framework before construction starts. This means they should help fund the necessary upgrades—like a new sewage plant or full-time paramedic positions—to support their workforce, rather than leaving local taxpayers and volunteers to handle the overflow.
Why It Matters Here
For residents of Melgund Township and Dyment, we often rely on the hubs of Dryden and Ignace for medical care and emergency backup. If the volunteer fire departments are stretched thin or the ambulance crews are burnt out due to increased calls at the Revell Site, that affects response times to our driveways. Furthermore, with housing already at capacity, we need to ensure this project doesn’t price our seniors out of the region or make it impossible for our kids to afford a home here.
Have Your Say
This affects our future. Submit your feedback on this specific issue via our Engage page to ensure the Impact Assessment Agency hears from our community.
The Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is reviewing the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) at the Revell Site, located near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in Northwestern Ontario.
This major nuclear infrastructure project is undergoing a joint federal review by the IAAC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to evaluate environmental, health, social, and Indigenous rights impacts over its projected 160-year lifecycle.
Public Feedback Open: Comments on the Initial Project Description are accepted until February 4, 2026. Submissions help shape the formal impact assessment guidelines.
This short article and summary is based on an initial analysis of a proponent’s initial project description. It does not represent, any community the NWMO or the Government of Canada. Learn more at the Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project project page.
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