Comment on behalf of Thunder Bay City Council

On behalf of the City of Thunder Bay, we seek to share the following information with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada relative to the Deep Geological Repository for Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel Project. The City of Thunder Bay is located in Northwestern Ontario, approximately two and half hours away from Ignace, Ontario. Residents in our region have shared concerns about the project and City Council and their Intergovernmental Affairs Committee have received information, presentations from both residents, concerned groups and the NWMO.

It is City Council’s position that this project should be highly regulated and managed with the appropriate government controls to ensure safety for those who live in the area and those that travel in the region where material travels to the site. City Council has directed its administration to review our Dangerous Goods Route and determine if there are potential changes that may be enacted relative to the travel of hazardous materials within our municipal boundary. This work is currently ongoing, and this letter seeks to share the city’s willingness to consult and work in partnership with the federal government related to the travel of material destined for the Deep Geological Repository and associated safety of those roadways.

At this time, Administration has reviewed comments on the current Impact Assessment Registry, there are several submissions that speak to the importance of consultation on transportation routes. The City of Thunder Bay would be pleased to meet with representatives from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Federal Government about how to ensure the safety of transportation routes associated with the moving of material associated with the Deep Geological Repository. While we have provided comment on this matter within the registry, the city recognizes that transportation routes are not included in the current Registry for comment.

The City of Thunder Bay is committed to advocating for and participating in any opportunity to provide feedback on transportation routes and moving material associated with the future Deep Geological Repository to be located in Ignace. The safety of residents of Thunder Bay and the region on municipal roadways is a significant priority for City Council and Administration.