This photo is a rendering of the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) at the Revell Site, designed to safely store nuclear waste deep underground for long-term environmental protection.
IAAC Highlights Environmental, Social, and Indigenous Concerns for Canada’s Deep Geological Repository Near Borups Corners
On February 16, 2026, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), in collaboration with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), released the Summary of Issues for the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel Project, led by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
This milestone document consolidates feedback from federal and provincial authorities, Indigenous Nations and communities, and the public on the Initial Project Description, offering a critical overview of environmental, social, and economic concerns associated with one of Canada’s largest and most long-term infrastructure projects. The Summary of Issues is publicly available for review at IAAC’s project registry, and reading it is a vital step for anyone interested in understanding and contributing to the impact assessment process.
The DGR project represents a multi-generational undertaking, with construction, operation, and monitoring timelines extending over nearly two centuries. The Summary of Issues emphasizes concerns about the long-term containment of radioactive materials, including the suitability of the host rock, seismic risks, and potential geochemical hazards. Submissions from communities highlight worries about radiological effects on water systems, wildlife, and human health, as well as the challenges of managing cumulative environmental impacts alongside existing industrial activities in the region. The report also underscores the need for transparent, robust monitoring and long-term institutional control mechanisms to ensure safety over millennia.
Transportation of used nuclear fuel to the repository emerged as another critical concern. Communities and Indigenous Nations along potential transport corridors have highlighted risks from accidents, infrastructure strain, and emergency preparedness, as well as the potential socio-economic effects of disruptions. The Summary of Issues stresses the importance of integrating Indigenous Knowledge and community consultation into both planning and operational phases, ensuring meaningful participation in decisions that may affect lands, waters, and traditional practices.
Health, social, and economic impacts form a significant part of the discussion, with submissions raising concerns about the influx of temporary workers, effects on housing and services, and long-term regional economic equity. Questions about the potential for “boom-and-bust” employment cycles, property value changes, and the distribution of project benefits reflect the multi-dimensional nature of impacts on local and Indigenous communities.
For residents near the Revell site, particularly in Borups Corners and Dyment, understanding the Summary of Issues is more than academic. Our Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment (MINIA) Project is specifically studying the impacts on these two closest communities, combining environmental, social, and cultural research to provide localized insights. Participating in the review process and submitting comments to IAAC ensures that these voices are considered alongside broader federal, provincial, and Indigenous feedback, helping to shape responsible decision-making for a project that will last generations.
Reading the Summary of Issues and participating in the consultation process is essential for anyone concerned about the environmental, social, and economic future of Northwestern Ontario and surrounding regions. By engaging with the document and providing feedback, Canadians have the opportunity to influence how the DGR project addresses safety, long-term containment, Indigenous rights, and community well-being. For more information and to review the full document, visit IAAC’s project page.
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