Deep Geological Repository
Proponent
Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)
Sector
Electricity
Location
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace, Ontario
Proponent
Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO)
Sector
Electricity
Location
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace, Ontario
This project is being considered for listing under the Building Canada Act
Description
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel will consist of a network of underground tunnels and placement rooms built to a depth of 650-800 metres below ground, designed to safely contain all current and future used nuclear fuel from Canada's existing nuclear reactor fleet.
The Government of Canada selected the Adaptive Phased Management approach as Canada’s plan for used nuclear fuel in 2007, following a three-year dialogue with Indigenous Peoples and Canadians. The project involves isolation and containment of used nuclear fuel in a DGR located in a suitable geology and at a location with willing and informed host communities. The NWMO is mandated through the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act to design and implement this plan. Deep geological repositories are internationally recognized as a best practice for the permanent disposal of used nuclear fuel, and are also being pursued in countries like Finland, Sweden, France and Switzerland. The DGR will incorporate multiple engineered and natural barriers to ensure long-term containment, including the surrounding stable rock formation.
Following a 14-year site selection process, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and the Township of Ignace in northwestern Ontario were selected as informed and willing host communities after the site met stringent long-term safety and geological requirements.
The project is currently undergoing a federal impact assessment and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission licensing, alongside a parallel regulatory assessment and approval process by WLON.
Description
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s Used Nuclear Fuel will consist of a network of underground tunnels and placement rooms built to a depth of 650-800 metres below ground, designed to safely contain all current and future used nuclear fuel from Canada's existing nuclear reactor fleet.
The Government of Canada selected the Adaptive Phased Management approach as Canada’s plan for used nuclear fuel in 2007, following a three-year dialogue with Indigenous Peoples and Canadians. The project involves isolation and containment of used nuclear fuel in a DGR located in a suitable geology and at a location with willing and informed host communities. The NWMO is mandated through the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act to design and implement this plan. Deep geological repositories are internationally recognized as a best practice for the permanent disposal of used nuclear fuel, and are also being pursued in countries like Finland, Sweden, France and Switzerland. The DGR will incorporate multiple engineered and natural barriers to ensure long-term containment, including the surrounding stable rock formation.
Following a 14-year site selection process, Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) and the Township of Ignace in northwestern Ontario were selected as informed and willing host communities after the site met stringent long-term safety and geological requirements.
The project is currently undergoing a federal impact assessment and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission licensing, alongside a parallel regulatory assessment and approval process by WLON.
Quick facts
- Storage method selection: The DGR approach was selected as Canada’s long-term solution for managing used nuclear fuel following a three-year study and national dialogue with experts and the public. It aligns with internationally recognized best practices in countries with nuclear power programs.
- Current nuclear storage: Currently, Canada’s used nuclear fuel is safely stored in interim facilities at reactor sites, with ongoing monitoring, security, and maintenance. This approach is not sustainable over the extended timeframe that the material needs to be safely contained.
- Permanent commitment: The DGR project spans approximately 175 years from site preparation to post-closure monitoring. Once closed, it will be a permanent waste disposal site that needs very little maintenance through the many decades of monitoring.
- Project funding: This project is entirely funded by nuclear fuel waste owners.
- Federal Oversight: The NWMO’s implementation of the DGR is subject to ongoing oversight by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act.
Benefits
- The DGR will provide Canada with a safe, domestically controlled, and permanent method for disposing of used nuclear fuel to protect both people and the environment.
- The construction and operation of the DGR will bring significant economic benefits to host communities, Indigenous communities, surrounding municipalities, and the host province. The economic impact, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, will include the creation of jobs for scientists, engineers, tradespeople, and more.
- The DGR will establish a credible, long-term solution for used nuclear fuel, helping address one of the key concerns associated with nuclear power, reinforcing public trust, and providing greater certainty for Canada’s nuclear sector.
- Almost all countries with commercial nuclear power production are planning to isolate used fuel in a deep geological repository. By moving from interim storage to a permanent disposal solution, the DGR will reduce the need for ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and future intervention, lowering long-term environmental, safety, and liability risks for future generations.
- This project reflects a collaborative approach with the host communities of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the town of Ignace Ontario and includes mechanisms intended to support Indigenous participation, community engagement, and independent assessment throughout the planning, assessment, and decision-making processes.
Latest updates
- On June 24, 2026, the project was referred to the Major Projects Office (MPO), and the Government of Canada announced it is initiating the process toward potential listing the DGR as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. Before any decision is taken, consultations will be held with Indigenous communities who may be impacted by the project, to determine whether this project should be listed under the Act. These consultations will begin over the next several months, with the intent for the Minister of One Canadian Economy to make a recommendation for Governor in Council decision in the Fall.
- On April 10, 2026 the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission released their draft Integrated Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines as part of the planning phase of the Deep Geological Repository integrated impact assessment process. The public comment period closed on May 10, 2026, and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission are considering comments received to inform the preparation of the final guidelines and plans that will be issued to the proponent at the end of the 180-day planning phase.
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