A New Chapter for Northwestern Ontario
Hello neighbors! As we look out over the beautiful landscape of Northwestern Ontario, there is a lot of talk about the proposed Revell Site. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has released new details about their Deep Geological Repository project, and as part of the ongoing Impact Assessment, we want to make sure everyone in Melgund Township, Borups Corners, and Dyment knows what is being discussed.
What We Are Learning
The NWMO has spent over a decade talking with Indigenous groups, particularly the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. They are focusing on themes like safety, environmental protection, and economic benefits. They want to co-design the project to respect traditional laws and protect things we all value, like moose, fish, and clean water. They are also proposing a ‘toolbox’ of ways to keep us informed, from workshops to online tools.
The Reality Check
While the documents sound very positive, we need to look closer at the details. What is being promised: A commitment to protect the land and create jobs. What we need to verify: We haven’t seen specific numbers for local hiring or a clear plan for how a large worker camp might affect the social fabric and safety of our small communities.
The Path Forward
The report noted that while a worker camp is planned, there is no formal social impact management plan yet; therefore, we are calling for detailed codes of conduct and monitoring to ensure our community stays stable and safe. Additionally, the report noted that the way traditional knowledge will be balanced with Western science isn’t fully defined; therefore, we are calling for a clear framework to ensure all ecological indicators are taken seriously. We need to move from abstract promises to enforceable requirements.
Why It Matters Here
For those of us in Borups Corners and Dyment, the Revell Site is less than 10 kilometers away. That is closer than many of the other groups being consulted. We rely on private wells and enjoy the silence of our woods for hunting and fishing. Changes to Highway 17 traffic and the potential stigma of a nuclear site could affect our property values and our way of life. We need to know that ‘adaptability’ doesn’t just mean experimenting in our backyard.
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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