Press Release - Township Council Approves Memo of Understanding with NWMO

Thursday, 19 October 2023

Press Release:

October 17, 2023 Ignace, ON Ignace Township Council approved and accepted a revised Memo of

Understanding (MOU) with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization at their Regular Meeting of

Council on October 16, 2023. The signed MOU between the Township and NWMO is yet another step

forward in building a stronger stakeholder relationship with this organization as the willingness process

launches and continues in the Township. As the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) project moves forward

in its site selection process, the Township of Ignace has been asked for its continuing commitment to

following and fulfilling its obligations as a potential host community with the Nuclear Waste Management

Organization (NWMO). At its May 31, 2023, meeting, Council of the Township of Ignace passed a

resolution that fully supports continuing with this process, but also ensuring that the public and Council

will have ample opportunity to participate in any final decision and position in the future.

“We have been working closely with Ignace for more than ten years and signing this memorandum of

understanding is an important step forward as we move towards selecting a site in 2024. Collaborating

with communities continues to be a critical component of Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term storage

of used nuclear fuel,” said Lise Morton, Vice President, Site Selection, NWMO.

“It is extremely important that we as Council not miss the opportunity to continue to participate in this

process with NWMO, and approving an updated MOU is just another step in continuing to strengthen the

Township’s stakeholder relationship, but we also recognize that any final decisions around our

participation in the DGR project requires full Council debate and approval as well as intense and

paramount consideration and participation from the entire community,” stated Interim Mayor Kim

Baigrie.

In early November 2023, a group of ten local individuals will represent the Township of Ignace, among

other invited NWMO delegates to meet with delegations from Finland in that country. The mission is to

gather information, speak with experts, experienced individuals, and locally elected officials from

communities in Southern Finland including Rauna and those at the Onkala DGR, where they host the deep

geological repository in that country.

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