Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL), Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN) have just signed a new long-term agreement. The new agreement will serve as the basis for ongoing collaboration and engagement.
The long-term relationship agreement (LTRA) with the AOPFN follows a consultation and engagement exercise that began in 2020. Nuclear organizations described the agreement as “historic.” It will establish a working group to serve as the basis for ongoing collaborations. It will create a Neya Wabun (Guardian) Program that will establish a regular AOPFN monitoring presence at designated AECL sites. There will also be other environmental, cultural, economic protection and promotion activities and programs.
Built on “mutual respect and understanding”, the agreement resolves and addresses key areas of concern identified by the AOPFN. These include environmental protection, radioactive waste management, cultural protection and promotion, and the pursuit of collaborative economic and business opportunities.
The Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF) project is intended to establish a modern engineering disposal facility for low-level radioactive waste at the CNL’s Chalk River Laboratories campus. This is a key focus of the new agreement. The proposed project would provide disposal for waste including legacy wastes from more than sixty years of operations at the Ontario site. It is currently under review by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and has been undergoing the federal assessment process since 2017.
Extensive engagements between organizations and AOPFN since 2020 have allowed CNL to make “improvements” to the Near Surface Disposal Facility project to address concerns. “With those changes in place and other AOPFN conditions and commitments met by CNL, the organizations have reached agreement on the NSDF project, and the AOPFN will provide its consent to CNL and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to move forward with the construction of the proposed facility.”
AOPFN Chief Greg Sarazin said that the Pikwakanagan now has a “significant say” in the nuclear organizations’ operations, incorporating traditional knowledge and values while protecting Algonquin rights and the environment. He said, “Responsible and modernized management of existing onsite radioactive waste will be ensured, and importation of low-level radioactive waste will be limited. Given the reality of operations at CNL/AECL, this agreement is the best path forward as we seek to protect mother earth and ensure the safety of future generations.”
Fred Dermarkar is the AECL President and CEO. He said that the long-term relationship agreement was an “historic milestone” in the organization’s relationship with the Algonquin of Pikwakanagan. He added that “Reconciliation is a journey – and the long-term relationship agreement between AOPFN, AECL and CNL is an important step in healing as well as building trust, founded on transparency and mutual respect. We look forward to working collaboratively together in the future.”
Joe McBreaty is the CNL President and CEO. He said that the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge across all its operations “will help to improve the way we do our work, and to build understanding between CNL staff and Indigenous People”.
The AOPFN are Algonquin peoples of the Ottawa River Valley and exercise Algonquin aboriginal title and aboriginal rights to the AOPFN unceded territory, including lands under water. AECL is a federal Crown corporation which owns the Chalk River Laboratories and other sites. It also manages the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste responsibilities. Nuclear science and technology laboratory CNL workers are under the direction of AECL. It serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community.