Engaging with people

Involving interested Canadians and Indigenous communities at all stages is critical to meeting the challenges of the long-term management of used nuclear fuel.

Overview

We work to build sustainable relationships with interested communities, individuals and organizations. These include communities in study areas that expressed interest in learning about the project, First Nation and Métis communities in the area, neighbouring communities, and young people who one day will assume responsibility for the management of Canada’s used fuel.

An early milestone was the collaborative design of a nine-step process to select a site. In May 2010, we began step one of this process by initiating a broad program of community engagement. The goal was to provide information, answer questions, and build awareness of Canada's plan and the siting process itself.

Dialogue, collaboration and shared decision-making help ensure that Canada's plan continues to respond to the values and concerns of Canadians.

Activities in the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area

A scenic photo of the area around Ignace, Ontario

Activities in the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area

What we heard: Implementing Canada’s plan in 2023

This document summarizes and records some of the key questions, concerns and topics we discussed with people over the course of 2023.

Download

What we heard: Implementing Canada’s plan in 2023

This document summarizes and records some of the key questions, concerns and topics we discussed with people over the course of 2023.

Download

Youth engagement

Group photo at a baseball field. Canada’s plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel will be implemented over many decades. Given the long time frames associated with implementing Canada's plan, engaging youth is an important consideration. We continue to explore various activities and outreach programs to help young people learn about and be involved in the implementation of Canada's plan.

We support initiatives in various youth activities ranging from education and cultural initiatives to community well-being and sports. On science learning programs in particular, we have partnered with Science North, SHAD, and Scientists in School to deliver activities and workshops to young people.

Over the years the NWMO has engaged young people in various activities, including:

Involving youth in social research and dialogue activities;
Involving Indigenous youth in engagement initiatives and forums;
Providing presentations to post-secondary students in relevant disciplines;
Building understanding of, and fostering opportunities for, youth in potential host communities and regions; and
Sponsoring initiatives that help young people develop science-related skills.

Youth Roundtable (2009–2010)

In 2009, the NWMO convened a Youth Roundtable to advise on how we might better reach young audiences. It included 16 participants aged 18 to 25.

The work of the Rountable in 2009 involved three face-to-face meetings, as well as online discussions, conference calls, and interviews with peer groups. Four Roundtable members attended an Advisory Council meeting on May 27, 2009, to present their recommendations.

We reviewed the Youth Roundtable's recommendations and developed a response that both reflects our priorities and the input received from the youth.

In September 2010, we reconvened the Youth Roundtable for a final meeting. We presented an overview of efforts taken to date to address their recommendations. The youth commented on the aactions of the NWMO and provided us with additional considerations.

Additional information:

Engaging municipal organizations

Laurie Swami, President and CEO of the NWMO, speaks at the 2020 Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference. Our engagement with municipal organizations helps us gain insight on municipal perspectives and priorities, and on processes for planning, policy making, and political oversight to help guide engagement.

The Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities (CANHC) provides us with ongoing insight and advice about how we might broaden our municipal outreach.

We also engage national and provincial municipal associations and regularly participate in conferences hosted by numerous organizations. These have included:

The Cities of New Brunswick Association;
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities;
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities;
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association;
The Ontario Small Urban Municipalities;
The Rural Ontario Municipal Association;
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities;
The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association; and
The Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick.

The Municipal Forum

The Municipal Forum was established in 2009 in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the voice of municipal government across Canada. The forum is an assembly of municipal association representatives with experience and expertise on municipal issues and challenges.

The Municipal Forum helps the NWMO to:

Incorporate best practices when communicating with local governments and associations
Broaden its awareness-building activities and municipal outreach both in the nuclear provinces and nationally
Understand the needs and practices of municipalities that are considering hosting this national infrastructure project

These are essential components of implementing Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.