Letter of Concern Regarding Proposed Nuclear Waste Site and Transportation Risks

February 2, 2026 

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to formally express my serious concerns regarding the proposed nuclear waste site and the associated transportation of nuclear waste through Northwestern Ontario.

I am an Indigenous person who hunts, fishes, and gathers in the lands and waters downstream of the proposed site. These activities are not recreational to me, they are central to my way of life, my food security, and my responsibilities to future generations. Any risk to the land or water directly affects my health, my livelihood, and my ability to continue these practices.

One of my primary concerns is the transportation of nuclear waste through Northwestern Ontario. Our highways experience frequent closures due to serious accidents, many of which involve transport trucks. These are not rare or hypothetical events, they occur regularly. Given this reality, I am deeply concerned about the dangers of transporting nuclear waste along these routes.

I have seen little to no clear information explaining what would happen in the event of an accident involving a truck carrying nuclear waste. What is the emergency response plan if there is a spill? How would nearby communities be notified? How would land, water, wildlife, and people be protected in the immediate aftermath and long term? The lack of transparent, accessible information on these risks leaves communities like mine vulnerable and uninformed.

I am also concerned about the geology of the proposed site. Rock holds moving water. If there were a leak (whether due to time, structural failure, or unforeseen geological changes) what would prevent contamination from spreading through groundwater systems? What would that mean for downstream communities that rely on these waters for drinking, fishing, and cultural practices?

As a resident of a community located downstream of the proposed site, I am deeply troubled by the fact that I do not appear to have a meaningful say in this decision. Decisions of this magnitude should not be made without the free, prior, and informed input of all affected Indigenous peoples, including those downstream who will bear the risks but not the benefits.

I urge the NWMO to meaningfully address these concerns, provide clear and transparent information, and ensure that Indigenous voices - especially those of downstream communities - are not excluded from decisions that will affect our lands, waters, and futures for generations to come.

Sincerely,
Sylvia Davis