# 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