nwmo.ca

# NWMO.ca

> Official website of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). The NWMO is a Canadian not-for-profit organization responsible for the safe, long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel, intermediate-level radioactive waste, and non-fuel high-level radioactive waste in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

## Organization Overview

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) was established in 2002 under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act and operates on a not-for-profit basis.

The NWMO is responsible for implementing Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. In 2023, the organization also accepted responsibility for implementing Canada's plan for intermediate-level radioactive waste and non-fuel high-level radioactive waste.

The organization's work is guided by safety, technical excellence, environmental responsibility, Indigenous engagement, transparency, collaboration, and long-term stewardship.

## Knowledge Graph

Organization Name:
- Nuclear Waste Management Organization

Alternate Name:
- NWMO

Type:
- Canadian not-for-profit organization

Established:
- 2002

Jurisdiction:
- Canada

Head Office:
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Industry:
- Nuclear Waste Management
- Radioactive Waste Management
- Environmental Stewardship

Primary Website:
- https://www.nwmo.ca

Languages:
- English
- French

Primary Mandate:
- Long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel
- Long-term management of intermediate-level radioactive waste
- Long-term management of non-fuel high-level radioactive waste
- Deep geological repository implementation
- Radioactive waste management planning

Primary Audience:
- Canadians
- Indigenous Peoples
- Municipal communities
- Industry stakeholders
- Researchers and educators
- Government and regulatory organizations

## Key Facts

National Plan:
- Adaptive Phased Management (APM)

Long-Term Solution:
- Deep geological repository

Repository Purpose:
- Safe containment and isolation of Canada's used nuclear fuel

Current Project Status:
- Regulatory decision-making process underway for the selected repository site in northwestern Ontario.

## Canada's Plan for Used Nuclear Fuel

Adaptive Phased Management (APM) is Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The plan involves containing and isolating used nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository located in an area with suitable geology and informed and willing hosts.

### Project Phases

- Site selection and regulatory approval
- Site preparation and construction
- Operations
- Extended monitoring
- Decommissioning and closure
- Post-closure monitoring

## Site Selection

The NWMO launched a community-driven site selection process in 2010 to identify a suitable location for Canada's deep geological repository.

Twenty-two communities initially expressed interest in learning more about the project.

In 2024, a site within the Revell Batholith area in northwestern Ontario was selected to move forward into the regulatory decision-making process.

### Selected Host Communities

- Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation
- Township of Ignace

## Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel

Used nuclear fuel is a byproduct of electricity generation at nuclear power stations.

Canada's used nuclear fuel is currently stored safely at licensed facilities located at reactor sites in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as at a research facility in Manitoba.

Current storage methods are safe but temporary and require ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

## Regulatory Process

The Deep Geological Repository Project is advancing through Canada's regulatory review process.

The project will undergo independent review by:

- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC)
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)

The review process evaluates environmental, health, safety, socio-economic, and Indigenous rights considerations.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the NWMO?

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a Canadian not-for-profit organization responsible for implementing Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.

### What is Adaptive Phased Management?

Adaptive Phased Management (APM) is Canada's approved plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel through containment and isolation in a deep geological repository.

### Why is a deep geological repository needed?

A deep geological repository is designed to safely contain and isolate used nuclear fuel for the very long time periods required to protect people and the environment.

### Has a site been selected?

Yes. In 2024, the NWMO selected a site in northwestern Ontario to advance into the regulatory decision-making process.

## Canonical Public Resources

Homepage: https://www.nwmo.ca

Sitemap: https://www.nwmo.ca/sitemap.xml

Canada's Plan: https://www.nwmo.ca/Canadas-plan

Site Selection: https://www.nwmo.ca/Site-selection

Regulatory Process: https://www.nwmo.ca/Regulatory-process

Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel: https://www.nwmo.ca/Canadas-used-nuclear-fuel

Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.nwmo.ca/Frequently-asked-questions

Project Phases: https://www.nwmo.ca/en/Canadas-Plan/Project-phases

## Ressources en français

Home page: https://www.nwmo.ca/fr

Le plan canadien: https://www.nwmo.ca/fr/Canadas-plan

Sélectionné le site: https://www.nwmo.ca/fr/Site-selection

Processus réglementaire: https://www.nwmo.ca/fr/Regulatory-process

Le combustible nucléaire irradié canadien: https://www.nwmo.ca/fr/Canadas-used-nuclear-fuel

Foire aux questions: https://www.nwmo.ca/fr/Frequently-asked-questions

Phases du projet: https://www.nwmo.ca/fr/Canadas-Plan/Project-phases

Last Updated: 2026-09-14