Who Oversees Our Nuclear Backyard?

Understanding the Rules for the Revell Site

Hello neighbors! As we go about our days in Northwestern Ontario, there is a lot of talk about the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and their plans for the Revell Site. This proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) is a massive project that could change our landscape for the next 160 years. Because this is happening right in the Melgund Township area, we’ve been digging into the Impact Assessment documents to see who is actually keeping an eye on things.

What We Are Learning

The NWMO is planning to store about 5.9 million bundles of used nuclear fuel deep underground. They’ve told the government that this project will help Canada reach climate goals and take the burden off future generations. They are currently working through a ‘one project, one assessment’ process, which means the federal government and the nuclear regulators are trying to coordinate their reviews to be more efficient. The NWMO also points to ‘Hosting Agreements’ with Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation as proof that the community is on board.

The Reality Check

What is being promised: A ‘consent-based’ process where the community has a say in how the project affects our social and economic well-being.
What we need to verify: While Ignace and Wabigoon Lake have signed on, residents in Melgund Township, Borups Corners, and Dyment—who live less than 10 kilometers from the site—don’t have the same seat at the table. We also need to look closely at the ‘ALARA’ safety principle, which stands for ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable.’ In plain English, ‘reasonably’ can be a bit of a grey area when it comes to our water and soil safety.

The Path Forward

The report noted that the specific agreement with the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation remains confidential, which makes it hard for the rest of us to see the full picture of what has been promised; therefore, we are calling for a public summary of these commitments so everyone in the region knows the score. Additionally, the current plan relies on a one-time ‘willingness’ check for a project that lasts 160 years; therefore, we are recommending a formal ‘intergenerational consent’ framework. This would ensure that our children and grandchildren in Dyment and Borups Corners have a legal way to voice their concerns as the project evolves over the next century.

Why It Matters Here

For those of us who enjoy the quiet of the bush or rely on local wells, the ‘graded approach’ to regulation sounds a bit technical. What it really means is that the level of oversight changes based on what the regulators think the risk is. But for a neighbor in Borups Corners, any risk to the water table or an increase in heavy-haul traffic on our roads is a big deal. We want to make sure the ‘social’ side of this assessment isn’t just a box-ticking exercise, but something that protects our actual way of life—our hunting, our fishing, and our peace and quiet.

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.

About the Author

Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project

Author

Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment (MINIA) is a community-led research and analysis initiative focused on understanding the full social, cultural, environmental, and economic implications of nuclear-related projects in Northwestern Ontario. Grounded in local knowledge and lived experience, the project brings together researchers, artists, youth, Elders, and community partners to examine how large-scale infrastructure—such as the proposed Deep Geological Repository—intersects with everyday life, land-based relationships, and long-term regional sustainability.

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