Appeal in Chalk River nuclear waste case tests limits of First Nations consent – The Narwhal

Oct. 17, 2025

A federal court judge found consultation was inadequate on plans for an Ontario nuclear waste site near Chalk River. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories wants the ruling overturned

A contentious radioactive waste disposal facility near the Ottawa River is back in court, and the outcome will set an important precedent for Indigenous Rights and consultation.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is trying to overturn a federal court’s decision that found Kebaowek First Nation was not properly consulted on a near-surface nuclear waste disposal facility near Chalk River, Ont. This development is the latest in a long saga of court challenges and appeals since the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission greenlit the proposed facility on Jan. 9, 2024. The radioactive waste mound would be situated about a kilometre from the Ottawa River, which is a source of drinking water for millions of people downstream.

Read More: https://thenarwhal.ca/chalk-river-nuclear-waste-appeal/