IGNACE – After receiving 77.3 per cent support from Ignace residents to move forward as a willing host community, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization has fulfilled its municipal hosting agreement by providing $1.5 million to the township.
On July 10, council members endorsed the Willingness Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation to proceed as the potential host community for Canada’s Deep Geological Repository, a federally mandated body funded by Canada’s nuclear power producers.
“We received $1.5 million for having indicated our willingness,” Jake Pastore, township spokesperson, told Newswatch.
The $1.5 million payment through the municipal hosting agreement simply replaces the multi-year funding agreement between the town and the NWMO, according to Pastore, who said the NWMO will provide future milestone payments on an annual basis.
The funding puts Ignace in a secure place to “leverage other provincial and federal dollars that are out there for infrastructure, transitional housing projects, seniors housing,” Pastore said.
“I know that the council wants to position itself in the future to make sure that we are leveraging all of the provincial and federal monies that we can as we move forward to position ourselves in a good place,” said Pastore.
Ignace is set to meet up with the provincial minister at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa from Aug. 18 – 21.
“We will indicate that we are going to require their support to move forward with transitional housing, with infrastructure, with potential improvements to Ignace’s health-care system, but also support for Dryden's regional health care,” Pastore said.
“We obviously realize that with a community the size of 1,200 or so, we're not sure where we're going to end up if we do get this project. But we do know that Dryden has a regional health-care centre that is utilized by a lot of the folks in this. We want to be able to support our neighbours and be in a good position to take advantage of the potential for a $26-billion project.”
The Revell Lake site west of Ignace is one of two potential sites where Canada’s spent nuclear fuel will be stored. The other location is on the Bruce Peninsula in southwestern Ontario.
Ignace council has repeatedly stated the town endorsement does not guarantee that the Revell Lake site will be selected.
Pastore noted that Ignace is “one piece of that puzzle” to express their willingness. At the moment, Wabigoon Lake First Nation has yet to decide.
The Revell Lake site sits directly on the First Nation’s traditional territory, therefore their willingness is necessary for site selection to commence by the end of the year.
“We are proudly the first community in Canada to have indicated our official support and our willingness to continue in the selection process by the NWMO in the potential siting of the DGR project in this area," Mayor Kim Baigrie said in a release.
"The residents of the Township of Ignace have spoken loud and clear and we fully respect their direction as a Council. We clearly have indicated our support through an official resolution to the NWMO.
“This payment, also the first of its kind in Canada, to the Township will no doubt assist the community with both its financial and future planning obligations, but also with the potential to begin leveraging critical provincial and federal dollars for other important infrastructure improvements, housing studies and other Council priorities.”
