Agreement secures management of Canadian low-level legacy waste

The project is part of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI), the Canadian federal government's commitment to develop and implement a safe, long-term solution for the management of low-level historic wastes in the Ontario municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington. 

By the early 1930s, Port Hope had become the centre for radium refining in Canada, and the waste is mostly soil that was contaminated with residue ore from those historic activities. Waste was stored at various planned sites as well as deposited at unplanned locations within the town. At the time, residual soil and surplus building materials from the plant site were routinely reused. This was in line with the knowledge and practices of that time, but meant that some parks, ravines, and even residential properties were backfilled or even constructed using contaminated materials.

The Port Hope Project involves the construction of a long-term waste management facility and supporting infrastructure for the safe, long-term management of some 1.2 million cubic metres of historic low-level radioactive waste, cleanup of the waste from various sites in Port Hope and its transportation to the facility, and long-term maintenance and monitoring. The engineered, above-ground facility is managed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). 

Under the original 2001 agreement that established the PHAI, the government's responsibility would have ended 20 years after the closure of the waste facility. 

The new agreement extends the federal responsibility to safely manage eligible historic low-level radioactive waste in Port Hope for up to 100 years after the Port Hope Long-Term Waste Management Facility closes, aiming to provide long-term certainty for residents, property owners, and the municipality, according to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL). 

"As the Port Hope Area Initiative has progressed - particularly on private properties - it has become clear that it is not always practical or beneficial to remove all of the eligible waste from every location," AECL said. "Now, property owners have more choice and flexibility. If they choose to leave eligible low-level radioactive waste undisturbed beneath existing features such as mature trees or landscaping, they can address the radiological material later, if needed."

Under the new agreement, once the PHAI project is complete, a designated access point will remain open at the Port Hope facility with disposal capacity to ensure it can safely accept any low-level radioactive waste encountered during future renovations, repairs, or infrastructure projects. As part of this agreement, the Municipality of Port Hope will receive funding of CAD8 million (USD5.65 million) to support future excavation, restoration, and transportation costs.

"This historic agreement reflects a strong and collaborative partnership between the Municipality of Port Hope and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, grounded in a shared commitment to safety, flexibility, and long-term environmental stewardship. By introducing a practical, property-owner-focused approach, the agreement not only enhances choice for residents but also supports a more efficient completion of the PHAI project," the Municipality of Port Hope said.

AECL is Canada's federal Crown corporation for nuclear science and technology. Its remit includes fulfilling the Government of Canada's radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities.