Proposed DGR in NWO

I am writing to provide my comments on the proposed deep geological repository for nuclear waste in Northwestern Ontario. I strongly oppose this project due to serious concerns about long-term environmental safety, transportation risks, and the broader implications for future generations.

One of my primary concerns is the transportation of radioactive waste over long distances. The proposal involves moving highly radioactive material over approximately 1,700 kilometres along largely two-lane highways, including Highway 17, through regions that experience severe and unpredictable weather conditions. Even at a rate of only a few shipments per day, this would continue for decades. Over that time, the cumulative risk of accidents is significant. In the event of a transportation incident, it is unclear how such a hazardous situation would be effectively contained or remediated, particularly in remote areas.

Equally concerning is the plan to bury radioactive waste deep underground. These materials remain hazardous for extremely long periods—far beyond the lifespan of any engineered containment system. If containment were ever to fail, there is a real risk of contamination to groundwater systems that feed into lakes and freshwater resources across the region. Northwestern Ontario is part of a vital freshwater system that will only grow in importance globally, and it must be protected.

It is also important to recognize that no country has yet successfully built and operated a permanent deep geological repository for high-level nuclear waste over the long term required. Proceeding with this project assumes a level of certainty that has not yet been demonstrated in practice.

There is broad agreement that nuclear waste must be isolated from the environment. However, isolation should not mean abandonment. A more responsible approach would be to maintain long-term, monitored storage at or near reactor sites, where waste can be regularly inspected and containment systems can be maintained or replaced as needed.

Finally, this project raises serious concerns regarding its location within Treaty 3 territory. Decisions of this magnitude must fully respect Indigenous rights, environmental stewardship, and the long-term well-being of all communities connected to this land.

For these reasons, I urge decision-makers to reconsider this proposal and prioritize safer, more accountable alternatives for managing nuclear waste.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input.

Sincerely,
Brooks Aitken