Advancing plans for the disposal of Canada’s intermediate and high-level waste in deep geological repositories

The NWMO’s original mandate under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act was to develop and implement Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel. The site selection process for that repository, launched in 2010, culminated in 2024 with the selection of the Revell site between Ignace and Dryden on the traditional territory of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. Next steps will involve a range of activities, including detailed site evaluations, completing required regulatory processes, preparing for construction, and eventually operating the facility.

As Canada’s plan for used nuclear fuel advances, the NWMO has taken on a new endeavour. As a result of the Integrated Strategy for Radioactive Waste (ISRW), which was developed by the NWMO and accepted by the Minister of Natural Resources of Canada in 2023, the NWMO is now responsible for the disposal of Canada’s intermediate-level waste and non-fuel high-level waste be disposed in a deep geological repository. As a first step and building on its experiences, the new task requires the NWMO to develop a process to find a safe and socially acceptable location for the second repository, with informed and willing hosts.

Canada’s technological, environmental and policy landscape is rapidly changing. In this evolving environment, there is potential for extending the life of existing nuclear plants and building new nuclear reactors. If implemented, these developments will result in additional volumes of high-level waste and intermediate-level waste, which will need to be safely managed in a deep geological repository for the long term. The NWMO is considering the future waste from new nuclear development and making long-term plans that include it. This presentation will provide a general update on NWMO’s activities and plans.