Strategic Initiatives

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is responsible for designing and implementing Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The plan, known as Adaptive Phased Management, requires used fuel to be contained and isolated in a deep geological repository. It also calls for a comprehensive process to select a site with informed and willing hosts for the project.

The NWMO is a not-for profit organization established in 2002 by Canada’s nuclear electricity producers in accordance with the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (NFWA). The founding members of the NWMO are Ontario Power Generation (OPG), New Brunswick Power Corporation, and Hydro-Québec (HQ). These organizations, along with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), are mandated to fund our operations.

The NWMO is committed to proceeding in stages in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner. We take the time needed to collaboratively plan and confirm each step through an ongoing dialogue with the public.

Their team is made up of some of Canada’s leading experts in fields related to nuclear waste management. They also collaborate with experts from across Canada and the world to ensure their work benefits from the best available research and experience.

The site selection process began in May 2010 and will take many years to complete. This will be followed by an estimated 10-year period to construct the facility. Subsequent phases involve the transport, handling, and placement of used nuclear fuel, followed by an extended period of monitoring.

Since 2012, Manitouwadge has been engaged in the “Learn More” process with the NWMO as part of their site selection for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

Currently Manitouwadge is at Step 3: Phase 2 in the process. To learn more about this step, please visit the NWMO website: Steps in the Process.

Please visit the NWMO website to learn more about Manitouwadge’s involvement, future steps and what has been done to date: NWMO – Manitouwadge and Area

NWMO Website: https://www.nwmo.ca/

In September 2019 Council approved the formation of the Community Revitalization Advisory Committee (CRAC) to oversee the development of a Community Revitalization Planning Study and a Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

The CIP identifies what supports the Township can offer to the private sector. The Community Revitalization Study identifies many projects that can be implemented to revitalize the municipally-owned assets within the community, such as roads, sidewalks, parks, trails, and signage.

In Manitouwadge, the CIP area is focusing on the entrance to Town (high school) on Manitou Rd. through to the downtown core, including Prospector Park and Agawa Gardens, up to Sante Manitouwadge Health.

The Community Revitalization Advisory Committee was presented with the Draft Final Community Improvement Plan on May 4, 2021. A 20-day public comment period is now open prior to presenting the Plan to Council on August 11, 2021. The CIP has been approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and allows the Township to offer financial incentives to improve identified areas throughout the Township.

The 2022 Intake will focus on the Downtown Core and allow businesses and property owners to access grants to make physical improvements to their buildings. These improvements include:

• Facade Improvements
• Sign Improvements
• Murals or Art Walls

The Community Improvement Plan and Program Guidelines can be found by clicking here. Council has approved $25,000 for the 2022 Intake. Applications are open until the funding has been committed. Council will review the first round of applications at the July 20, 2022 Council meeting.

The Township of Manitouwadge is looking at opportunities to participate in Ontario’s growing Aquaculture Industry.

Learn more here: Manitouwadge Aquaculture Presentation

To read the final report which outlines key recommendations in which Manitouwadge can meaningfully undertake to further support the growth of this growing sector in Ontario, please click here: Manitouwadge Aquaculture Feasibility Study 2019

In the Media

• CBC News Coverage: Manitouwadge Shrimp Farming
• Ontario Aquaculture Association has shared a link to its members on the CBC News story on Aquaculture in Manitouwadge: What’s Swimming in Ontario Aquaculture

What is Aquaculture?

Aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of aquatic organisms including fish, shellfish, plants, algae, and other organisms in all types of water environments.

It’s Farming in Water

Aquaculture is used to:

• Produce food and other commercial products
• Protect current wild fish stocks

Aquaculture is increasingly popular in Ontario. Under provincial legislation, more than 40 species of fish are now eligible to be raised including: tilapia, four species of trout, arctic char, yellow perch and walleye.

Potential Opportunities

The Aquaculture Industry continues to grow. 50% of seafood consumed worldwide is derived from aquaculture. The sector delivers a wide range of safe, healthy and sustainable seafood products to domestic and international markets.

The Aquaculture Industry results in increased economic and social impacts for residents, businesses, and communities.

For some areas these impacts include:

• Increased population (people moving into, or back to, communities)
• Increased housing starts
• New business activity

The Digital Service Squad is ready to assist the businesses of Manitouwadge! Let’s get together to have a discussion on how adopting digital technologies in your business operations will help promote, sell and manage your products.

Feel free to contact us to learn more or to list your business in our “Portfolio” section which will feature some of our local businesses!

The Township of Manitouwadge is pleased to be partnering with Barrick Hemlo Operations and the Manitouwadge Economic Development Corporation to offer the Hemlo Superior Loan Fund.

• Hemlo COVID 19 Stimulus 2020 Ad
• Hemlo Superior Loan Fund – Guidelines
• Hemlo Superior Loan Fund – Policy
• Hemlo Superior Loan Fund – Application

Public Notice: Ontario Energy Board – North Shore LNG Application

Please find below the application notices, the application and all evidence related to the application by the Town of Marathon to the Ontario Energy Board to construct natural gas pipelines in the Town of Marathon, Township of Manitouwadge, Township of Schreiber, Township of Terrace Bay and Municipality of Wawa.

If you would like a hardcopy, please visit the Municipal Office during business hours.

• Compiled Notices
• Full OEB Application
• Environmental Reports:

Manitouwadge

Marathon

Schreiber

Terrace Bay

Wawa

The North Shore LNG Project is a collaboration of five municipalities located along the north shore of Lake Superior. We are Manitouwadge, Marathon, Schreiber, Terrace Bay and Wawa, situated on the Highway 17 corridor between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie in Northwestern Ontario. Together, our municipalities have a population of 11,000 and share a long history in the development of Canada’s natural resource economies of mining, forestry and tourism. Located at the top of the Canadian Shield and deep within the Boreal forest, the rugged and majestic terrain of Lake Superior has created a rich cultural heritage for the residents and businesses who continue to call the North Shore their home.

The Municipalities have partnered with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)and Northeast Midstream to assess the engineering, environmental and economic feasibility of developing a regional natural gas delivery system that will benefit business, industry and residents of our communities.

Public engagement is key in the process of developing this project and a series of open houses are being scheduled in each of the participating communities.

In Manitouwadge, an open house is scheduled as follows:

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Manitouwadge Community Centre
23 Manitou Road
Manitouwadge, ON

North Shore LNG Project – Notice of Project Commencement and Information Sessions