Employees from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) attended Dryden City Council on December 7th to address a series of questions from the community. Dryden Council asked members of the public to submit questions in advance to assist in their understanding of the NWMO’s work. Major topics included transportation, safety, and environmental protection.

Lise Morton, Vice-President of Site Selection was one of the NWMO participants. “Talking to people and answering their questions is a major focus of our work and we are committed to engaging with people in and around the siting areas,” Morton said. “The number of questions raised shows the people of Dryden have great interest in Canada’s plan and want to know more about the opportunities and risks associated with this project.”

More than 90 questions were submitted, and Council and the NWMO team answered as many as possible during the session. The session ran for four hours – double the scheduled time. Council then decided to pause the session and the NWMO committed to answering the remaining questions in writing and will submit the responses to Dryden Council

Representatives of three groups that are opposed to building a deep geological repository were also part of the panel presenting to Dryden Council. The groups had an opportunity to share their perspectives and counter some of the NWMO’s answers. This dialogue gave the NWMO the opportunity to speak to the concerns of these groups as well.

“Safety is the NWMO’s top priority and a major part of that involves extensive research into geology, radiation, storage containers for used fuel, safe and secure transportation, seismology, and even the weather at the siting area near Ignace is being studied in detail never before captured,” Ms. Morton said. “It was important for us to speak to Dryden Council and to all those listening at home about the safety of this project, and that our priority is protecting people and the environment.”