Canada issues notice about nuclear waste repository as possible national interest project

biggest concern with the potential fast-tracking of federal approvals is whether the long-term effects of nuclear waste transportation will be considered, as this is not mentioned in the Canada Gazette listing,

$26-billion project proposed near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation

Sarah Law· CBC News : Sep 22, 2026

Canada’s first deep geological repository (DGR) for nuclear waste may be designated as a project of national interest, meaning possible streamlining of federal approvals for the $26-billion endeavour.

The federal government first announced the possible designation for the project — proposed near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in northwestern Ontario — in June. The site could see the country’s nuclear waste buried hundreds of metres underground.

Notice of the possible designation was published in the federal government’s official newspaper, the Canada Gazette, on Saturday.

The federal Building Canada Act “enables the government to streamline federal approval processes for projects determined to be in the national interest, helping such projects to move forward efficiently while protecting Canada’s environment and upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the Canada Gazette notice says.

Officials in Ottawa provided comments on the project in a news release on Friday.……………………………..

‘Federal government, think again’

The DGR has come under heavy scrutiny by environmental advocates and First Nation leaders over concerns with the storage, transportation and maintenance of nuclear waste.

We the Nuclear Free North is a coalition of groups that’s spoken out against the project for years.

Brennain Lloyd is project co-ordinator of Northwatch, which is part of We the Nuclear Free North.

Her biggest concern with the potential fast-tracking of federal approvals is whether the long-term effects of nuclear waste transportation will be considered, as this is not mentioned in the Canada Gazette listing, she explained.

“In the Gazette notice, the federal government describes the project as being a 160-year project — so that means we lose any assessment of the long-term safety issues, the long-term impacts of this project,” she said in an interview with CBC News on Monday……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

A public comment period on the potential designation of the DGR as a project of national interest is open until Oct. 26. People can email DGRComment-CommentaireDSCGP@mpo-bgp.gc.ca. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/canada-dgr-project-national-interest-project-9.7352825