Latest news with #NWMO
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Saving endangered turtles and bats focus of new Toronto Zoo partnership
The Toronto Zoo announces a new partnership to preserve biodiversity in the province. CTV's Beth Macdonell reports. A new partnership at the Toronto Zoo is prioritizing nine Canadian endangered species with the aim of growing of their populations. A five-year, $3-million joint commitment between the zoo and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) will allow critical work to continue to save Blanding's turtles and eight bat species. The goal is to reverse biodiversity loss which is critical to healthy ecosystems. Toby Thorne, supervisor of species recovery at Toronto Zoo, compared the importance of preserving species to a well-functioning clock. 'If I start throwing cogs away, then it might work for a bit, but at some point, it's going to stop working,' said Thorne. 'We're talking about species today, but were talking about preserving biodiversity as a whole, which humans are a part of, and we need that as much as it needs us.' The funding will help continue a turtle raising program at the zoo that works to restore populations hurt by habitat loss, road deaths, and climate change. For the past 12 years, staff have been collecting Blanding's turtles eggs, caring for them while they grow for two years, and releasing them back into the wild. In the 1990s, Blanding's turtles were virtually extinct in the Greater Toronto Area spanning Rouge Valley, with zoo staff saying there were probably less than 10 left in area. But now, thanks to the program, the population is growing. 'They are known as the turtles with the sun under their chin,' explained Thorne. 'They are green overall like most turtles, but they have this bright piece underneath, and they are a nice, smiley turtle.' 'This commitment is a big deal,' added Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong. When it comes to bats, the partnership is allowing for more research on eight species in Ontario. Seven of those eight bat species are endangered. 'Bats play a critical ecological role, whether it's hunting insects at night,' DeJong said. '[They are] a key piece of the balance, and if you lose one piece, and you lose that balance, I think people only realize the impact of that balance when it's gone.' DeJong said diverse ecosystems are strong ecosystems, and the partnership will help Blanding's turtles and the eight bat species not only survive, but thrive.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Saving endangered turtles and bats focus of new Toronto Zoo partnership
A new partnership at the Toronto Zoo is prioritizing nine Canadian endangered species, including bats and turtles. (Toronto Zoo, left; CTV News Toronto, right) A new partnership at the Toronto Zoo is prioritizing nine Canadian endangered species with the aim of growing of their populations. A five-year, $3-million joint commitment between the zoo and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) will allow critical work to continue to save Blanding's turtles and eight bat species. The goal is to reverse biodiversity loss which is critical to healthy ecosystems. Toby Thorne, supervisor of species recovery at Toronto Zoo, compared the importance of preserving species to a well-functioning clock. 'If I start throwing cogs away, then it might work for a bit, but at some point, it's going to stop working,' said Thorne. 'We're talking about species today, but were talking about preserving biodiversity as a whole, which humans are a part of, and we need that as much as it needs us.' The funding will help continue a turtle raising program at the zoo that works to restore populations hurt by habitat loss, road deaths, and climate change. For the past 12 years, staff have been collecting Blanding's turtles eggs, caring for them while they grow for two years, and releasing them back into the wild. In the 1990s, Blanding's turtles were virtually extinct in the Greater Toronto Area spanning Rouge Valley, with zoo staff saying there were probably less than 10 left in area. But now, thanks to the program, the population is growing. 'They are known as the turtles with the sun under their chin,' explained Thorne. 'They are green overall like most turtles, but they have this bright piece underneath, and they are a nice, smiley turtle.' 'This commitment is a big deal,' added Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong. When it comes to bats, the partnership is allowing for more research on eight species in Ontario. Seven of those eight bat species are endangered. 'Bats play a critical ecological role, whether it's hunting insects at night,' DeJong said. '[They are] a key piece of the balance, and if you lose one piece, and you lose that balance, I think people only realize the impact of that balance when it's gone.' DeJong said diverse ecosystems are strong ecosystems, and the partnership will help Blanding's turtles and the eight bat species not only survive, but thrive.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Aerodrome or airport? the Township of Ignace will consider both
Social Sharing The Township of Ignace is reviewing options for the future of its long-dormant aerodrome as the community prepares for its potential role in Canada's nuclear waste storage strategy. Earlier this month, consultants from the Loomex Group presented council with three scenarios for the site: a $8.4-million upgrade to restore basic aerodrome operations, a full $41.8-million build out to meet Transport Canada airport certification or repurposing the land for light industrial or recreational use. An aerodrome refers to any location from which flight operations take place, such as recreational heliports and small airplanes. An airport is a more certified facility with commercial passenger and cargo services that meets Transport Canada standards. The aerodrome, located on the west side of town, has been unused since the late 1970s. But, renewed interest follows the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) choice to select Ignace as the potential host community for the country's first deep geological repository. The multibillion-dollar project could begin construction in the early 2030s. Jake Pastore, a spokesperson for the township, said a potential airport would help people travel back and forth from the repository. "We wanted to see what opportunities would be available to utilize that land," said Pastore, explaining the facility could be used as a potential medical base or a feeder airport. The $8.4-million option would restore the facility to a non-certified airstrip with a resurfaced runway and capacity for limited commercial and residential air traffic. The $42-million alternative would accommodate business jets and certified commercial operations. It would also come with annual operating costs estimated between $550,000 and $600,000. No decision has been made, but township officials say the matter will likely return to council in the fall. Not everyone agrees that upgrading the aerodrome is a wise use of public money. Brennain Lloyd, with the environmental group Northwatch, said the proposal raises concerns about how municipal and NWMO-related funds are being used. "We do question where the money's going in terms of using it to upgrade their airport. They do have a small airport there now. I would expect that it's probably not a good use of funds because I think that the City of Dryden is much more likely to be the business centre and the main hub, if the NWMO is ever able to go ahead with their proposed deep geological repository," said Lloyd. Lloyd said the airport is not a central concern compared to what she describes as a larger issue: a lack of transparency and accountability in the township's dealings related to the nuclear project. "It's more nuclear money after nuclear money," she said. "Whether they upgrade the airport or not, it is not a central concern for us." The Loomex Group's study included an online survey for residents that could be found on the municipality's website. While official results have not been made public, Pastore said preliminary feedback from residents suggested greater support for the lower-cost option. He added that the $8-million investment may be the most practical route unless substantial backing comes from federal or private-sector sources. "Ignace is looking at who the partners would be in an investment for $42 million. It would have to be of significant interest to third parties, both airlines, industrial, and commercial, including the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. It's still undetermined at this point," he said.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Northwestern Ontario nuclear waste storage site moves forward as 5 vendors chosen
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has chosen five vendors to design and plan Canada's first deep geological repository — a multibillion-dollar project that aims to eventually store the country's nuclear waste. The NWMO announced in November that Northwestern Ontario had been chosen for the repository. A site near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation has been identified as the NWMO's preferred location for the project, which will store nuclear waste hundreds of metres underground. In a Monday news release, the NWMO said the vendors chosen are: WSP Canada Inc. Peter Kiewit Sons ULC (Kiewit). Hatch Ltd. Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada Ltd. Kinectrics Inc. "This is an exciting milestone for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and for the nuclear industry in Canada," Craig MacBride, the NWMO's manager of public and media relations, told CBC Thunder Bay. "It's the next step in the process to permanently isolate and contain Canada's used nuclear fuel, and we've teamed up with five great companies to help us make it a reality." MacBride said the five companies will cover six categories of pre-construction work: design/engineering, above-ground construction design, mine design, underground mine construction design, nuclear management advice and nuclear systems and facilities. Laurie Swami, the NWMO's president and CEO, said the organization is proud to engage with "five experienced and respected companies" to design and plan the repository. "We're excited to work with them to move toward our goal of containing and isolating Canada's used nuclear fuel," Swami wrote in a news release. "While this is a unique project in Canada, the core needs are well established, and the companies chosen have deep experience in mining, construction design and the handling of nuclear materials." Speaking at the November announcement, Stephen Lecce, Ontario's minister of energy and electrification, said as the provincial government "expands our zero-emissions nuclear fleet to meet rising energy demand, Ontario is cementing its position as a world leader in all parts of the nuclear lifecycle. This achievement by NWMO is just the latest example." Construction on the repository isn't expected to begin until the mid-2030s, with the goal of getting the site operational in the early 2040s, the NWMO has told CBC News. The NWMO, which was founded in 2002, says the $26-billion project will create hundreds of jobs.
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization chooses vendors to design and plan Canada's deep geological repository Français
TORONTO, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) announced the five companies we have selected to work with to design and plan Canada's deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel in northwestern Ontario. The NWMO, as the owner of the project, will be working with WSP Canada Inc., Peter Kiewit Sons ULC (Kiewit), Hatch Ltd., Thyssen Mining Construction of Canada Ltd. and Kinectrics Inc. The chosen companies will work on facility infrastructure design and engineering, mine design, mine construction planning, nuclear management advising and nuclear systems and facilities design. Construction will only begin once the deep geological repository has successfully completed the federal government's multi-year regulatory process and the Indigenous-led Regulatory Assessment and Approval Process, a sovereign regulatory process that will be developed and implemented by Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. The NWMO is using an Integrated Project Delivery model to design and build the deep geological repository — an innovative approach for an innovative project. The companies and the NWMO will work as one team, co-located to move the project forward. This approach encourages trust and open communication among all parties, putting what is best for the project first by enabling collaboration between the NWMO and the selected companies. All companies involved, including the NWMO, will work hand-in-hand throughout the entirety of the process. This integrated and collaborative contracting approach is ideal for such a unique, long-term, first-of-its-kind mega-project that relies on input from our host communities, the regulator and other stakeholders. The selected vendors will have the following responsibilities: Design/engineering WSP will be responsible for all architectural design and engineering for the project, excluding the engineering and design related to mine and waste rock pile design, shafts, headframes and hoisting design and the Used Fuel Packaging Plant. Constructor Kiewit will be responsible for all above-ground construction design required to build the deep geological repository. Mine design Hatch will be responsible for all aspects of the project related to underground mine and waste rock management, as well as shaft, headframe and hoisting systems related to the design and construction of the deep geological repository. Mine construction Thyssen Mining will be responsible for the underground mine construction design of the service, test and demonstration area, as well as the sinking of three shafts into the repository. Nuclear management advisor Kinectrics will be responsible for in-depth nuclear operations management expertise and advice to inform the development and planning of the project, design, oversight and assurance framework and quality assurance programs. Nuclear systems and facilities Hatch will be responsible for all aspects of the project related to nuclear facilities and the Used Fuel Packaging Plant. Quotes "The NWMO is proud to engage with five experienced and respected companies to design and plan Canada's deep geological repository, and we're excited to work with them to move toward our goal of containing and isolating Canada's used nuclear fuel. While this is a unique project in Canada, the core needs are well established, and the companies chosen have deep experience in mining, construction design and the handling of nuclear materials." — Laurie Swami, President and CEO, Nuclear Waste Management Organization "Hatch has been working collaboratively with the NWMO on the deep geological repository since 2015, supporting the early design and planning for the surface facilities, shafts, underground infrastructure and the Used Fuel Packaging Plant. We are thrilled to be a part of this important project for Canada and are proud to be able to bring our experience in Integrated Project Delivery together with our mining and nuclear expertise to deliver this project successfully with the NWMO and the selected parties." — John Bianchini, CEO, Hatch "Kiewit is proud to be joining industry leaders for this first-of-its-kind project in the country. We are excited to bring our expertise to this project's collaborative model, which will benefit Canada and local communities for generations to come." — Patrick Lamarre, President, Kiewit Canada Group "Kinectrics is pleased to join the project team that will design and build the deep geological repository for the long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel. The repository ensures the protection of the environment for future generations. In our role as the nuclear management advisor for this project, we will leverage our broad experience in nuclear operations, engineering, facility licensing and management to collaborate with the project team and successfully deliver this project, continuing to support the nuclear industry's capacity to provide clean, safe, as well as reliable electricity for Canadians." — David Harris, President and CEO, Kinectrics "Thyssen Mining is honored to be chosen as the preferred proponent in the mining constructor category for the NWMO's deep geological repository, which underscores the trust and confidence placed in our team and organization. With more than 60 years of history working in the North American underground mining and civil sectors, we're proud of our track record of partnering with Indigenous communities across our country to responsibly develop sustainable projects on their lands. We will work collaboratively with our new partners on the deep geological repository to bring innovation and best-in-class expertise to the project — while always respecting the people affected and communities in which we are working. Thyssen Mining is proud to be part of the team that will deliver this once-in-a-lifetime project that Canadians can all be proud of." — Colin Wilson, CEO, Thyssen Mining "The Deep Geologic Repository represents an important step forward in Canada's clean energy future, creating a safe solution for the storage of used nuclear fuel. Using the latest technology, combined with WSP's depth of expertise, we look forward to delivering this invaluable project for Canadians » — Marie-Claude Dumas, President, WSP in Canada Quick facts On Nov. 28, 2024, the NWMO, following community willingness decisions, chose Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace to move forward in the process as host communities for Canada's deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel. Canadians and Indigenous Peoples have relied on clean nuclear energy to power their homes, businesses and cities for over 60 years. A necessary byproduct of generating nuclear energy is used nuclear fuel. While Canada's used nuclear fuel is safely managed in interim storage at reactor and laboratory sites, this approach is not appropriate over the long term. The deep geological repository design uses a series of engineered and natural barriers that work together to contain and isolate used nuclear fuel between 650 and 800 meters underground. After extensive technical study and community engagement, the NWMO selected a site that is safe and where the host communities have demonstrated that they understand the project and support moving forward in the process. This process was guided by the NWMO's commitment to Reconciliation, based on co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being for Indigenous Peoples. The deep geological repository will be subject to a thorough regulatory review process to ensure it does not have adverse effects on either humans or the environment. This rigorous process will ensure the NWMO's understanding of the safety of the repository is independently confirmed by both the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Government of Canada's impact assessment process. About the NWMO Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada's intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come. The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management.
