Response to the article: “Ottawa needs to step in before nuclear waste project goes any further”
The duty to consult with affected First Nations lies with the federal government, not the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), in the lengthy regulatory process of choosing a site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel in northwestern Ontario.
It is also up to the federal government to determine who should be consulted.
We at the NWMO are following a consent-based siting process model, but we have not yet reached the phase when consultation with affected First Nations takes place. It’s important to remember that this is a long process, and it’s just getting under way. Construction is still seven to 10 years away. There will be opportunities for First Nations and Canadians to have their voices heard and share their input.
Up to now, all we have required from host communities is that they be willing and informed. That willingness to have the project located nearby and to agree to move forward in the site selection process has been a primary focus.
We agree with the authors that the federal government should fulfil its duty to consult. We fully expect it to do so as part of this process.
Ottawa doesn’t need to “step in.” It is already stepping in through its established multi-year regulatory review and approval process led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
We are committed to ensuring that we as the proponent live up to all of the requirements of the impact assessment process and applicable laws.
We have also engaged with thousands of Canadians and Indigenous Peoples outside of host communities to understand their perspectives, concerns, questions and suggestions.
We encourage anyone who is interested to participate, share questions and learn more about the project.