On Jan. 20, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto.

Laurie Swami, President and CEO of the NWMO, delivered an address to approximately 1,000 delegates from rural communities across Ontario. The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and the Honourable Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, also addressed the delegates in the morning.

Ms. Swami spoke to the conference theme of moving forward. She provided an update on how the NWMO is advancing the process of selecting a single preferred location for a deep geological repository, as part of Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.

She highlighted to conference delegates the important role that municipalities play in advancing Canada’s plan. “We have been able to make so much progress because municipalities have been deeply engaged every step of the way,” Ms. Swami said.

Ms. Swami added that as the project advances, the NWMO will continue to seek out the municipal perspective through ongoing engagement, attending conferences such as ROMA and the NWMO’s Municipal Forum.

Looking ahead, Ms. Swami said the NWMO will increasingly explore the potential for partnership with the communities remaining in the siting process.

In closing, Ms. Swami invited delegates to stop by the NWMO booth, ask NWMO staff questions about Canada’s plan and dig deeper to make informed decisions.