Governance and accountability
Canadians and Indigenous peoples can trust that the organization responsible for the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste has a strong governance structure in place.
Transparency is one of the NWMO’s corporate values and is built into our governance structure, underscoring our commitment to communicate openly and responsibly, and to provide information about our approach, processes and decision-making. The NWMO is guided by a Transparency Policy that is aligned with all relevant freedom of information, access to information and privacy legislation.
The NWMO is federally mandated under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (NFWA). Our members are provincially owned corporations that produce used nuclear fuel. As a not-for-profit corporation, the NWMO falls under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
We are governed by a nine-member Board of Directors that is elected by the member organizations. The Board represents a range of perspectives from within and outside the nuclear industry and takes a leadership role in developing the corporation’s strategic direction.
The Advisory Council, an independent advisory body established under the NFWA, provides ongoing advice to the NWMO.
Sharing information and encouraging an exchange of perspectives are fundamental to our mandate to implement Canada’s plan. That is why we also seek independent review of our work through a number of external committees, including the Council of Elders and Youth, Municipal Forum, Geoscientific Review Group, Environmental Review Group and Site Selection Review Group. This helps ensure we are continuously pursuing excellence.
The NWMO’s integrated management system ensures we are well equipped to execute our mandates, while protecting people and the environment for generations to come. In 2023, we continued to enhance our management system to make sure it supports staff in executing their work in a manner that is appropriate for our evolving program and operations.
Annual and triennial reporting to the minister
In accordance with the NFWA, the NWMO produces an annual report every year that is tabled in Parliament and published on our website. The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources issues a statement on it each year.
Every third year, the NWMO also produces a triennial report as required by the NFWA. The last triennial report was for the 2020-22 period and was published in March 2023.
Reporting to member organizations
The founding members of the NWMO are Ontario Power Generation, New Brunswick Power Corporation and Hydro-Québec. The Membership Agreement and bylaws set out member roles and responsibilities in support of the objectives of the NFWA and the NWMO’s implementation mandate. The NWMO regularly briefs our member organizations and holds an annual general meeting.
Integrated management system
The NWMO continues to focus on ensuring our integrated management system supports our work on the project for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. That includes meeting the requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and protecting people and the environment for generations to come. This is particularly important as we get closer to selecting a site for the deep geological repository in 2024 and then begin the regulatory decision-making process.
In 2023, we continued to augment our management system to satisfy the CSA N286-12, Management System Requirements for Nuclear Facilities. This included transforming the governance within 20 programs to ensure applicable regulatory requirements were met in a way that provided efficient and effective work processes for NWMO staff. We also reinforced the connection between nuclear safety culture and both the management system and continuous learning and improvement program to help staff understand the importance of their contributions to the NWMO’s nuclear safety culture. These initiatives are important to support the initiation of the regulatory decision-making process that will follow site selection.
Board of Directors
Board Chair: Glenn Jager
President, CEO and Director: Laurie Swami
Directors: Lesley Gallinger, Sean Granville, Ronald L. Jamieson, Jason Nouwens, Josée Pilon, Subo Sinnathamby and Beth Summers.
The Board of Directors convened five formal meetings in 2023. In addition to its regular meetings, the Board holds a strategy session each year with the NWMO’s executive team to consider long-term challenges and opportunities.
Glenn Jager
Board Chair
Laurie Swami
President, CEO and Director
Lesley Gallinger
Director
Sean Granville
Director
Ronald L. Jamieson
Director
Jason Nouwens
Director
Josée Pilon
Director
Subo Sinnathamby
Director
Beth Summers
Director
Committees of the Board
Audit, Finance and Risk (AFR) committee
The AFR committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the NWMO’s internal control and management information systems, making recommendations to the Board for the approval of the annual financial plans, ensuring the integrity of the NWMO’s reported financial performance, and providing oversight of the NWMO’s pension fund. The AFR committee met four times in 2023, and had one joint AFR-Human Resources, Compensation and Governance committee meeting.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, the committee had five directors: Beth Summers (Chair), Lesley Gallinger, Glenn Jager, Ronald L. Jamieson and Josée Pilon.
Human Resources, Compensation and Governance (HRCG) committee
The HRCG committee is responsible for overseeing the NWMO’s human resources functions, including compensation practices, human resources policies, organization design, labour relations, the pension plan and governance. The HRCG committee met four times in 2023 and had one joint AFR-HRCG committee meeting.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, the committee had five directors: Lesley Gallinger (Chair), Sean Granville, Glenn Jager, Josée Pilon and Beth Summers.
Project Oversight committee
The Project Oversight committee provides oversight of the NWMO’s project planning and execution, including safety, recommending new projects for Board approval, project planning and controls, contracting strategies and contractor performance, technical matters and project risk as it relates to the implementation of Canada’s plan. The Project Oversight committee met four times in 2023.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, the committee had four directors: Sean Granville (Chair), Lesley Gallinger, Jason Nouwens and Subo Sinnathamby.
Siting committee
Through the Siting committee, the Board maintains oversight of the site selection process and advises on, oversees and monitors any identified risks associated with its execution. The committee met four times in 2023.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, the committee had five directors: Ronald L. Jamieson (Chair), Sean Granville, Glenn Jager, Jason Nouwens and Subo Sinnathamby.
Officers (as of Dec. 31, 2023)
Board Chair:
Glenn Jager
President and CEO:
Laurie Swami
Vice-President and Chief Engineer:
Chris Boyle
Vice-President of Communications:
Lisa Frizzell
Vice-President of Site Selection:
Lise Morton
Chief Financial and Risk Officer:
Jeff Quick
Vice-President of Human Resources, and Chief Ethics Officer:
Jennifer Spragge
Vice-President and General Counsel, and Board Secretary:
Doug Taylor
Vice-President of Indigenous Relations and Strategic Programs:
Bob Watts
Vice-President of Regulatory Approvals:
Allan Webster
Chief Operating Officer:
Derek Wilson
Executive Committee:
Laurie Swami
President and CEO
Chris Boyle
Vice-President and Chief Engineer
Lisa Frizzell
Vice-President of Communications
Lise Morton
Vice-President of Site Selection
Jeff Quick
Chief Financial and Risk Officer
Jennifer Spragge
Vice-President of Human Resources, and Chief Ethics Officer
Doug Taylor
Vice-President and General Counsel, and Board Secretary
Bob Watts
Vice-President of Indigenous Relations and Strategic Programs
Allan Webster
Vice-President of Regulatory Approvals
Derek Wilson
Chief Operating Officer
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council is an independent, arm’s-length body that reviews and comments on the NWMO’s work, as required by the NFWA. Its reports appear in the NWMO’s triennial reports, published every three years.
The Advisory Council’s role is to:
- Ensure the views of the public and communities of interest are considered and reflected in a thoughtful, balanced way in the proposed approaches and reports of the NWMO; and
- Assist the NWMO in ensuring our processes are of good quality and are open, transparent, thorough and sound.
As the NWMO’s work progresses towards site selection, and as affected Indigenous organizations and potential host regions are identified, the NFWA requires that representatives from these communities be included in the Advisory Council.
Council members
There are currently nine Advisory Council members, representing a broad range of expertise, including engineering, community engagement, public affairs, environment, sustainable development, Indigenous relations, Indigenous Knowledge and community-based research.
As of Dec. 31, 2023, the members are: David R. Cameron (Chair), Donald Obonsawin (Vice-Chair), Joseph Cavalancia, Monica Gattinger, Dean Jacobs, Diane M. Kelly, Dougal McCreath, Stella Swanson and Linda Thompson.
During 2023, the Advisory Council continued to provide advice to the NWMO in these key areas:
- Site assessment, engineering and technical transportation activities;
- Plans for establishing the final siting decision process and community willingness;
- Partnership development and community well-being funding to support building partnership agreements;
- Assessments of risks related to the NWMO’s work;
- Development of the NWMO’s transportation planning framework;
- Business planning activities and recovery plans related to pandemic delays;
- Development of the NWMO’s regulatory plans;
- Topics related to used fuel transportation;
- Reconciliation and Indigenous Knowledge activities; and
- Technical matters related to long-term safety.
David R. Cameron
Chair
Donald Obonsawin
Vice-Chair
Joseph Cavalancia
Member
Monica Gattinger
Member
Dean Jacobs
Member
Diane M. Kelly
Member
Dougal McCreath
Member
Stella Swanson
Member
Linda Thompson
Member
Council of Elders and Youth
The Council of Elders and Youth is an independent advisory body with members from Indigenous communities across Canada. It provides counsel to the NWMO on the application of Indigenous Knowledge in the implementation of Canada’s plan, and on enhancing the development and maintenance of good relations with Indigenous communities.
Knowledge Holders have much traditional knowledge to share with others. One of their roles is to aid decision-making based on this ancient knowledge. The NWMO is honoured to have received the counsel of Knowledge Holders over the past several years, including the period covered by this report.
Municipal Forum
The Municipal Forum is an assembly of municipal leaders with experience and expertise in municipal issues and challenges. Established by the NWMO in 2009, in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Municipal Forum provides advice on municipal perspectives and processes to help guide the NWMO’s engagement and outreach. It helps the NWMO incorporate best practices when communicating with local governments and associations, as well as helping us understand the needs and practices of municipalities that are considering hosting the project.
Environmental Review Group
The Environmental Review Group (ERG) was established by the NWMO in 2018 to provide independent expert advice and guidance on environmental programs and impact assessment theory and practice, including engagement and aligning with Indigenous Knowledge. The ERG is made up of professionals from a variety of academic and cultural backgrounds. It meets four times a year to discuss strategic issues related to assessing potential impacts of the project on the natural environment.
Geoscientific Review Group
The Geoscientific Review Group is a group of internationally recognized geoscientific experts from Canada, Australia, Sweden and Switzerland. The group reviews and provides advice and guidance on the NWMO’s geoscience site assessment approach, methods and findings. It was established by the NWMO to ensure that site evaluations are conducted in a consistent and traceable manner that consistently meets or exceeds best international practices. The six group members combine extensive multidisciplinary experience in areas relevant to the siting of deep geological repositories in both crystalline and sedimentary rock formations.
Site Selection Review Group
The Site Selection Review Group is made up of two internationally respected members from varied professional backgrounds. The group provides independent advice and guidance on the NWMO’s final site selection approach to ensure the decision-making process is reasonable, comprehensive, credible and rigorous.
These review group members have knowledge and experience in nuclear waste-related siting processes and international best practices.
Community-Based Transportation Working Group
The NWMO established the Community-Based Transportation Working Group to seek feedback from a broad range of individuals across Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick about how to implement the organization’s transportation planning framework, including collaborative transportation planning and engagement and dialogue for the transportation program. The members of the working group are individuals acting as independent advisors.
Peer reviews
In order to ensure our work is based on the best science, the NWMO works with leading scientists and experts from universities, in the industry and as part of international research groups. We continue to seek independent external experts to review and comment on our technical work through peer reviews when publishing research results in scientific journals and at conferences. These external reviews help ensure high technical standards are met, as well as consistency with international best practice.