The Township of Ignace has advanced in the site selection process for a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel.
The community joins the Township of Huron-Kinloss and the Municipality of South Bruce in southern Ontario.
The decision narrows the field from five, with Hornepayne and Manitouwadge no longer in the running.
The process started in 2010 with 22 municipalities expressing an interest.
Dr. Ben Belfadhel is the Vice-President of Site Selection for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
He says these are hard decision and not made lightly.
However, Belfadhel says it was based on “The potential for safety and safety is paramount. And the second one is the potential to build the supportive and resilient partnerships that are required to advance the project like ours.”
Belfadhel talks about the next step for the Township of Ignace.
“We will continue to drill bore holes to better understand the geology and we will also continue to work with the leadership and the people of the Ignace area to explore the potential of partnerships.”
He stresses enhanced relations with Indigenous leaders in the area will also continue.
A final site is expected to selected by 2023.
To hear more from Dr. Ben Belfadhel, visit the Audio link below.
