Canadian repository put forward for federal support

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson, Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty, announced the nomination of three major projects for which the government is initiating the process toward potential listing as projects of national interest under the Act. These are: the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project, a proposed all-season road in the Northwest Territories; the Grays Bay Road and Port Project, which would include the construction of a 230 km all-season road at Grays Bay and a deepwater port and aerodrome on the Arctic Ocean in Nunavut; and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization's (NWMO) Deep Geological Repository.

Listing these projects under the Act would streamline and consolidate key federal permits and authorisations, according to the Canadian government. National interest listing of a project "would provide confidence that key federal permits and authorisations for the project will be granted, shifting Canada's regulatory focus from 'whether' the project should proceed to 'how' it will proceed". 

A Deep Geological Repository was selected by the government in 2007 as Canada's chosen plan to manage used nuclear fuel. The NWMO, under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, is mandated to design and implement the plan. The NWMO proposes to construct the repository approximately 650–800 metres underground in northwestern Ontario, near Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace area: the host communities were selected in 2024 following a 14-year consent-based siting process. The project is entirely funded by Canada's nuclear fuel waste owners and reflects decades of technical study, as well as public and Indigenous engagement.

The Deep Geologic Repository - or DGR - has now been referred to the Major Projects Office, Hodgson announced. The other two projects were referred earlier this year, and have been assessed as "strong candidates for inscription" under the Building Canada Act, Hodgson said. "Unlocking Canada's economic potential requires bold action that clearly demonstrates we are ready to build big in this country again. The initiation of this process marks a major shift in how we accelerate nation-building infrastructure - if listed, federal approvals for nation-building projects like these will secure our long-term energy sovereignty, unlock our abundant natural resources, drive economic growth, advance reconciliation, and help maintain our world-class environmental standards."

The Building Canada Act was enacted a year ago as part of Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, to enhance Canada's prosperity, national and economic security, national defence and sovereignty. It aims to do this by ensuring that projects of national interest are advanced through an efficient, coordinated process that enhances regulatory certainty and investor confidence, while protecting the environment and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples. As part of the Building Canada Act, the Major Projects Office was set up by the government last August to facilitate the process.

"By delivering on Canada's commitment to safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel, NWMO's DGR project presents the potential to unlock clean nuclear energy projects that strengthen Canada's autonomy, resilience and security; ensure best-in-class safety and environmental standards; and catalyse new investment and create jobs," the government said. "The opportunity presented for safety, security, economic growth, and Indigenous partnership aligns with the federal government's new Nuclear Energy Strategy. The construction and operation of the DGR will generate sustained economic activity - including through Indigenous participation plans; and support the continued safe operation and expansion of Canada's nuclear power facilities, in line with Canada's Nuclear Strategy."

Sixteen projects - including the Darlington New Nuclear Project to develop the first of four planned small modular reactors at Ontario Power Generation's site - and seven transformative strategies have now been referred to the Major Projects Office, representing a combined investment of more than CAD135 billion (nearly USD95 billion) in the Canadian economy.  

Supporting waste management projects such as the Deep Geological Repository is a focus under the third pillar of Canada's national nuclear strategy, which was unveiled by the government earlier this week.