Nuclear industry must show it can safely manage growing volumes of highly radioactive waste

One of the toughest political challenges involves the transportation of highly radioactive nuclear waste some 2,500 kilometres through towns and First Nations communities to a proposed storage site in northwestern Ontario.

Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, pictured Nov. 25, 2025, on the Hill. Two days after unveiling the nuclear strategy, the government said it will consider listing a proposed deep geological repository near Ignace, Ont., as a 'project of national interest' under the Building Canada Act, a move that would shorten the environmental impact assessment. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY SHAWN MCCARTHY

July 6, 2026

OTTAWA—As it pursues visions of renaissance, the nuclear industry is going to have to demonstrate to Canadians that it can safely manage growing volumes of highly radioactive waste produced by reactors.

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