New Nuclear at Wesleyville Project
Summary of Issues
Document reference number: 752
New Nuclear at Wesleyville Project
The Summary of Issues (SOI) outlines the key issues that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), with input from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), considers relevant for the federal integrated impact assessment process for the New Nuclear at Wesleyville Project (the project), as proposed by Ontario Power Generation Inc. (the proponent). The proponent's response to the SOI will support decision-making by IAAC on whether an impact assessment is required under section 16 of the Impact Assessment Act. If an impact assessment is required, the key issues outlined below and the proponent's response will inform the scope of the impact assessment, and the continued development and finalization of the Integrated Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (Integrated Guidelines) and plans, as appropriate.
Given the project is a federal work or undertaking (Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999), consideration of adverse federal effects includes non-negligible adverse changes resulting from the project to the environment or to health, social or economic conditions.
IAAC was informed by input received to date from federal and provincial authorities, First Nations and other Indigenous communities, local governments, and the public on the proponent's Summary of the Initial Project Description. The key issues identified below were raised during the public comment period on the Summary of the Initial Project Description, from January 12 to February 11, 2026. Throughout the SOI, key issues raised have been summarized to provide a succinct description. The expectation is that the proponent review all submissions on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry Internet site for the project (Reference Number #89802) where the original submissions are available for its review.
The proponent is required to provide a response that sets out how it intends to address the key issues identified in the SOI as part of the development of its project. A high-level description is sufficient. Where relevant, the proponent is encouraged to identify if the key issues will be addressed through existing legislative and regulatory frameworks (i.e. legislation or regulation), by proponent commitments to best practices, policies or standards, or both. For submissions from First Nations and other Indigenous communities, the proponent is expected to include as part of their response to the Summary of Issues, direct responses to the key issues raised in the two submissions from Michi Saagiig Anishniaabeg Communities of the Williams Treaty First Nations and Saugeen Ojibway Nation , including those related to potential adverse impacts the project may have on the rights of Indigenous Peoples in accordance with Section 15 of the Impact Assessment Act. Where responses are shared across issues, the proponent may reference earlier responses.
Summary of key issues raised related to the proposed project
Biophysical environment
Groundwater and surface water
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Concerns about potential impacts to groundwater and surface water quality and quantity, including those related to hydrological changes, pollution, and thermal discharges and the resulting effects on ecosystems.
Wildlife, fish, migratory birds and their habitat
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Concerns about impacts on wildlife, aquatic biodiversity, fish, migratory and non-migratory bird populations and their habitat, including any identified species at risk.
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Potential for landscape disturbances to impact terrestrial environments, watercourses, wetlands and the shoreline of Lake Ontario within the project area through the lifecycle of the project.
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Concerns about potential impingement, entrainment, injury, stress, or mortality of fish, and destruction and alteration of fish habitat, including Lake Ontario, Wesleyville Creek, provincially significant wetlands and significant areas of natural and scientific interest, resulting from dredging, dewatering, in-water works, operation of water intakes, and cooling infrastructure and other project activities.
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Concerns about potential impacts to aquatic ecosystems from warm water discharged from cooling infrastructure, as well as from runoff, effluent, and other releases into waterbodies and watercourses.
Acoustic, atmospheric and visual environment
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Concerns about potential impacts on the environment, including changes in ambient noise levels and the visual impact of project structures and facilities.
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Concerns about potential impacts on air quality from emissions and dust, particularly during construction and operation.
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Interest in understanding the project's contributions to Canada's reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Health, social, and economic conditions
Human health
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Concerns about the health impacts, including cancer risk, from potential changes to existing ambient radiological conditions, radiological exposures, and releases of radiological and non-radiological contaminants of potential concern in air, land and water.
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Concerns about impacts on human health due to noise and changes to air quality particularly for on-site individuals and residents or other receptors located near or adjacent to the project site.
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Concerns about the psychosocial impacts associated with living near the project, including perceived contamination of local foods and perceived risk to community safety.
Socio-economic conditions
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Concerns about the cost of living, housing availability, local demand for housing, and increased housing and rental prices.
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Interest in understanding workforce composition and how training and long-term employment opportunities across a range of positions and seniority levels will be facilitated for Indigenous Peoples, the public, and underrepresented groups.
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Concerns about increased risk to vulnerable populations, including gender-based violence, due to a potential temporary workforce influx.
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Interest in understanding how project construction and operation may facilitate regional economic development, including co-located related industries and opportunities for regional businesses.
Infrastructure and services
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Concerns regarding the potential strain on regional and municipal services and infrastructure from additional demands associated with an increased workforce, including transportation networks, water supply, wastewater and stormwater management, private wells, transmission infrastructure, emergency services, healthcare and schools.
Land use
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Concerns about impacts to land use, including farmland, legacy underground infrastructure, built heritage and archeological resources and cultural heritage landscapes.
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Concerns about potential impacts to livestock and agriculture.
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Concerns about potential changes to or loss of access to outdoor recreational areas (e.g., walking and cycling trails, shoreline access) as a result of landscape modifications and changes to the visual and acoustic environment.
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Concerns about impacts to water navigation, particularly due to the location and operation of intake and outfall pipes.
Other key issues related to the federal undertaking
Management of radioactive waste
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Concerns about impacts on health and the environment related to the long-term management of low, intermediate and high-level radioactive waste.
Accidents and malfunctions
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Concerns about potential impacts on the environment and surrounding populations due to accidents, major malfunctions and malevolent acts impacting the facility.
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Concerns about potential health effects of accidents and malfunctions on Indigenous Peoples, local and regional populations, particularly emergency preparedness and mitigation strategies for health impacts.
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Interest in opportunities for regional co-development of emergency management and evacuation plans with host and neighbouring municipalities, First Nations and other Indigenous communities.
Radiological conditions
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Concerns about legacy radiological contamination in soil and sediment in the Port Hope area and potential disturbance of these soils or sediments during excavation, infilling and other project activities.
Effects of the environment on the project
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Concerns about resilience to flooding, erosion and extreme weather events associated with climate change as well as other natural hazards, including seismic activity.
Cumulative effects
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Concerns about cumulative effects of existing nuclear facilities in the region in combination with this project, particularly on the health and socio-economic conditions of local and regional populations.
First Nations and other Indigenous communities submissions
The Michi Saagiig Anishniaabeg Communities of Williams Treaty First Nations and Saugeen Ojibway Nation have provided submissions on the Initial Project Description, which are housed on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry Internet site for the project (CIAR #568 and #623 respectively) where they form part of the public record and must be meaningfully considered by the proponent. IAAC has not received any other submissions from First Nations or Indigenous communities at this time. The proponent's response to the SOI should demonstrate how Indigenous Knowledge, rights, interests, and potential impacts on rights have been and will be considered for the proposed project. IAAC has not provided a summary of First Nations and other Indigenous community submissions in this Summary of Issues to avoid any potential misinterpretation of the comments provided.
As indicated in the preamble, the proponent is expected to include as part of their response to the Summary of Issues, direct responses to the key issues raised in the submissions from Michi Saagiig Anishniaabeg Communities of the Williams Treaties First Nations and Saugeen Ojibway Nation related to potential adverse impacts the project may have on the rights of Indigenous Peoples in accordance with section 15 of the Impact Assessment Act. Where responses are shared across issues, the proponent may reference earlier responses.
Annex A: Additional comments, guidance and recommendations
The following list provides additional comments, guidance and recommendations by IAAC for information purposes only. While IAAC does not expect responses to these comments, they are provided for consideration to support ongoing awareness and potential areas for improvement. The proponent is encouraged to consult the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry Internet site for the project (Reference Number #89802) where the original submissions are available for review.
Alternatives to consider
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Concerns about the project need and alternatives to the proposed project, particularly in the consideration of nuclear power compared to renewable energy sources.
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Concerns about technology selection, including interest in economic independence and supply chain resiliency of fuel and materials.
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Concerns about the project's name creating confusion or perceived links to local organizations.
Rate payer impacts
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Concerns about the cost to Ontario taxpayers to support nuclear energy production and potential increased debt compared to cheaper alternative energy sources.
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Concerns about changes in electricity rates and taxes.