Digging Into the Dollars: What the DGR Means for Our Wallets
Hello neighbours. As we continue to peel back the layers of the Impact Assessment for the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) at the Revell Site, it is time to talk about something that hits close to home: our livelihoods. For those of us living in Melgund Township, Borups Corners, and Dyment, the promise of jobs is often the first thing we hear. But does the data match the promise?
We have reviewed the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) report on economic conditions in Northwestern Ontario. Here is a breakdown of what the numbers say, what is missing, and what we need to ask for to protect our local economy.
What We Are Learning
The NWMO’s report confirms what many of us already know: our region relies heavily on forestry and mining, industries that have their ups and downs. The report notes that our population is aging, and retaining young people is a struggle because they often leave for school and don't return.
However, the data revealed some startling specifics. For example, in Ignace, the average personal income for males is nearly double that of females—a 98.9% difference. The report also assumes that the future workforce for the DGR will live within a one-hour drive of the site. For smaller communities like the Local Services Board of Wabigoon and nearby First Nations, the data is often "suppressed" or incomplete due to small population sizes.
The Reality Check
When we look at the promises versus the evidence provided, a few gaps appear that we need to verify.
- What is being promised: The project will drive local employment and economic stability for the next 30 years.
- What we need to verify: The report highlights a "skills gap" and a shrinking local workforce. Without a concrete plan, these high-paying jobs might go to newcomers rather than current residents.
- What is being promised: The assessment is based on solid baseline data for our communities.
- What we need to verify: The report admits that data for First Nations is "unvalidated" and "interim." Furthermore, relying on census data that suppresses numbers for small populations means we don't actually have a clear economic picture of our smallest neighbours.
The Path Forward
We need to move from observation to action to ensure this project benefits us rather than burdens us.
The Gap: The NWMO assumes workers will live within a one-hour drive, but they haven't provided a study to prove this. If this assumption is wrong, we could see unexpected traffic through Borups Corners or a housing crunch in areas that aren't prepared for it.
The Solution: We are calling for a detailed "Commuter and Housing Capacity Study." We need to know exactly where these workers will sleep and how they will get to work before shovels hit the ground.
The Gap: The extreme gender wage gap identified in Ignace suggests that high-paying industrial jobs are currently favoring men.
The Solution: The proponent must implement a "Regional Human Resources Strategy" with specific targets for training women and local youth. We need guaranteed apprenticeships for our kids, not just general promises of future work.
Why It Matters Here
Why should a resident of Melgund Township worry about statistical rounding or wage gaps? Because it dictates the character of our community. If the gender gap widens, we risk becoming a transient "work camp" environment rather than a family-oriented community. If the data on our Indigenous neighbours isn't validated, the project risks ignoring their specific economic realities, leading to friction rather than partnership. We need an economy that supports families, keeps our youth in the North, and respects the quiet lifestyle we cherish.
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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