Partner Perspectives: Nuclear Waste Management Organization

The OLIP interns greatly enjoyed the pleasure of meeting with our Partner, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), and speaking with Isaac Werner, Senior Advisor of Government Relations.   

Over the course of our conversation, we discussed the foundations of NWMO, a non-profit organization that originated in 2002 under the mandate of managing Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste in a sustainable manner. For over 20 years, NWMO has worked to create innovative, collaborative solutions to manage nuclear waste in Canada through strategies that prioritize and protect both people and the environment for generations to come. 

Through analyzing Canada’s plan, also known as Adaptive Phased Management (APM), we explored the ways in which the NWMO has worked with scientists, engineers, and Indigenous Knowledge Holders to strategize minerology, transportation, and radiology to establish geological repositories for the nuclear waste in safe, long-term models deep underground. Some key elements we learned during our meeting included the facts that led to the establishment of the Centre of Expertise in Ignace, Ontario, which would house numerous high-value careers, provide educational opportunities across the region, and attract tourists from across Canadian and international borders. 

Along this vein, we also discussed the criteria that the NWMO consistently considers when selecting locations for its projects. For example, in regard to decommissioning boreholes and monitoring wells in South Bruce, we explored how the organization selected communities following an intensive study and engagement with their population and environment, as well as reaching consensus with First Nations communities in whose traditional territories the potential sites were located.  

We would like to thank Isaac for meeting with us and sharing his insights into NWMO and the organization’s work across Canada. We are also deeply appreciative of NWMO for supporting the programme – there were many keen takeaways we drew from our conversation, and look forward to continuing our partnership!