Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation votes to move forward with nuclear waste storage site process

A northwestern Ontario First Nation community has voted to proceed with the process that could see a nuclear waste deep geological repository built on its territory.

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation said in a media release issued Monday that community members have voted yes in a willingness referendum.

"The yes vote does not signify approval of the project; rather, it demonstrates the Nation's willingness to enter the next phase of in-depth environmental and technical assessments, to determine safety and site suitability," the release states.

In a statement, Wabigoon Lake Chief Clayton Wetelainen said the community has been working with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization for more than 12 years, which has enabled the community's members and leadership to "thoroughly examine" what a repository could mean for Wabigoon Lake.

The yes vote means the community will proceed into a "site characterization process" for the possible repository, which will include in-depth environmental and technical assessments to determine safety and site suitability, the release states.

In its own media release, the NWMO said Wabigoon Lake is the second northwestern Ontario community that has voted to move forward with the process; Ignace residents also voted yes in July.

"We sincerely thank the members of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, Chief Wetelainen and Council for their thoughtful approach and commitment to learning and engagement over the past 12 years," said Lise Morton, vice-president of site selection at NWMO said in a statement.

The southwestern Ontario community of South Bruce has also agreed to move forward with the process.

In the release, the NWMO stated that "Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation's decision does not indicate that the NWMO has selected a site for the deep geological repository. The NWMO will carefully consider this new information as part of our ongoing site selection decision analysis."

The Township of Ignace expressed its "respect and admiration for the membership of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation" on Monday.

"We understand that their decision comes after thoughtful and thorough consultation with their community membership, careful consideration of the long-term environmental and social impacts to the lands, and a deep commitment to securing a sustainable future for generations of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation peoples," the township stated. "The Ojibway Nation has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to responsible stewardship of the land, water and resources, and this decision represents their dedication in determining what is best for their people and the environment."

The NWMO has said a site should be selected by the end of the year.

"Once a site is selected, the project will enter a mandatory multi-year regulatory decision-making process, including an impact assessment and licence applications," the media release states. "Led by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the impact assessment provides an opportunity for public participation and is designed to ensure the project meets or exceeds strict regulatory criteria to protect the health, safety and security of people and the environment."

Wabigoon Lake Obijway Nation is located about 19 kilometres southeast of Dryden.