Decision by Saugeen Ojibway Nation

Early in 2020, after more than a decade of OPG research, public consultation, and federal regulatory hearings, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation members voted No to a Deep Geologic Repository (DGR), for low-and intermediate level nuclear waste, as proposed by OPG for the Bruce nuclear site in Kincardine.

OPG upheld its 2013 commitment not to proceed without SON support and discontinued the project.

OPG is moving forward to develop an alternate permanent solution for the storage of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste. Any new site selection process would include engagement with indigenous peoples as well as interested municipalities.

During this process, OPG will remain focused on waste minimization, including volume reductions, innovations in processing, and recycling where possible.

Background on the DGR and moving forward

Since the 1970s, OPG has safely transported, processed and stored low and intermediate level nuclear waste.

While we can continue to safely store this waste above ground, we also have an obligation to future generations to dispose of waste safely and responsibly, so it cannot pose a threat to the public or the environment.

Committed to safety

The DGR was proposed to safely isolate and contain waste underground, ensuring the protection of water and the environment.

The DGR would have been buried beneath the Bruce site, deeper than the CN Tower is tall, and constructed with low permeability limestone capped by 200 metres of low permeability shale.

The site has rock formations over 450 million years old that do not have any major faults or fractures, are stable and predictable, and provide excellent isolating capabilities.

This type of setting was ideal for hosting a repository and ensuring long-term safety.