Voting is now OPEN
Between 12:01 AM on Friday April 26th, 2024 and 11:59 PM on Tuesday April 30th, 2024 residents and property owners of Ignace Township over the age of 16 can cast their decision about their willingness to continue participating as a potential host community of a Deep Geological Repository of used nuclear fuel.
You can vote either by clicking the button VOTE NOW below, or by coming down to the curling hall for help. We also offer over-the-phone support and home visits for persons who cannot leave their home on Sunday April 28th by appointment.
We have a custom way to help for everyone's needs!
Not registered yet? No problem. Come on down to the curling hall with your ID and we can help you register and vote all at once.
Resident Participants in the Willingness Study will be asked to answer this question by making one choice of the available options.
“My position on the Township of Ignace continuing to participate as a potential host community for a Deep Geological Repository of used nuclear fuel is:
YES, I want the Township to continue participating in the process and to proceed as a potential host community.
NO, I want the Township to stop participating in the process and to opt out as a potential host community.
ABSTAIN, I am indifferent about participating in the process as a potential host community.”
If you are already registered, you have an email with the subject "Thank you for registering" from us once you were approved. This email contains your user name. Don't see it? No problem. We can resend it if you call us to let us know.
If you already set up your password, use the username provided and the password you created. Forgot your password? No Problem. Click on Forgot Password and follow the instructions.
You'll need your cell phone or email account handy to login or reset your password either at home or in person. Our system requires two steps to ensure it's you logging in.
Go now to VOTE! Let your voice be heard and your choice counted.
Want to learn more before you vote? Check out our resources page for the most popularly requested information during our study.
Residents and Property Owners of Ignace ages 16+ as of April 30th, 2024:
Cast your decision about progressing as a host community of the potential siting of a DGR of used nuclear fuel near Ignace April 26-30th, 2024
You are invited to participate in the Ignace WIllingness Study
After more than ten years of interaction with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) for the potential siting of a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) of used nuclear fuel near Ignace Ontario, the Township of Ignace has arrived at a milestone.
The Township is now offering an opportunity for the residents of Ignace to be formally heard and accounted for as the key voice in determining if the town wants to continue progressing with the NWMO and the potential DGR siting process, or not.
This process is called a WIllingness Study.
The Willingness Study, a confidential and structured process to capture the choice and voice of residents and property owners over the age of 16 as of April 30th, 2024, is taking place between November 2023 and April 30th, 2024.
We are a dedicated group of community-based researchers from With Chéla Inc., known as the Engagement Team, offering support to help you navigate the process and participate in logging your choice about the potential siting of the DGR of used nuclear fuel near Ignace.
You now have until 11:59 PM April 30th, 2024 to take the following steps to participate in the process and log your final choice about your position on continuing as a potential host community of the DGR.
REGISTER to Participate
Visit the website www.yourchoiceignace.ca and click REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE HERE
Need help to get registered? No problem.
There is a video on the above mentioned website that walks you through how to register. If you need more assistance contact the Engagement Team for direct support.
ANSWER the Preliminary Questions
Once you have added the information we need to ensure you are eligible to participate, there are questions about whether you are ready to choose and what more information you might want to be able to choose. Within this process you will also be asked if you’d like to offer an optional interview to explain your choice confidentially.
SCHEDULE an Optional Interview
If you select the interview option in the system when registering, you will be contacted by the Engagement Team to schedule the interview when the team visits Ignace in late April or online beforehand.
LOG your Final Choice
Between April 26th and 30th, 2024 you will login to the same system and submit your final choice about the DGR, just like a voting period in an election. The Engagement Team will be in town to offer support to register, access the system, and make your final choice so it can be counted in our report confidentially.
You can only cast your choice between 12:01 AM April 26th and 11:59 PM April 30th, 2024
We will be in town at the ARENA/Curling Hall during this time period to help you log your choice:
Friday April 26th, 2024 - Registration + Log your Choice from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday April 27th, 2024 - Registration + Log your Choice from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday April 28th, 2024 - Registration + Log your Choice by appointment only
Monday April 29th, 2024 - Registration + Log your Choice from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday April 30th, 2024 - Registration + Log your Choice from 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM*
*Arena Doors close, logging the choice open until 11:59PM online
If you want help to get registered, you can register during that time period with support from our Registrar in person before you log your choice.
You can also log your choice using the username and password for your account during that time period from anywhere with internet access on your personal device.
Download a PDF version of this letter here
Dear Resident,
As you may have heard, the Township Council has arrived at a milestone after more than ten years of interaction with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) for the potential siting of a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) of used nuclear fuel near Ignace Ontario.
The Township has hired us, a specialized team of community engagement professionals, to conduct a Willingness Study, so that the residents of Ignace can have their say about the siting project and the opportunity to explain why. Council committed to the willingness process and followed through when they asked us, an Eastern Ontario-based firm, With Chéla Inc, to take the lead.
What is a Willingness Study?
The Willingness Study is a formal and structured process that will capture the voice and choice of residents about continuing to progress with the NWMO and potential site-selection.
When will it take place?
The study will be carried out between November 2023 and summer 2024, with local opportunities offered in November 2023, January and spring 2024.
Why would we do it?
The Township Council is dedicated to learning what the community thinks about the proposed DGR project and is committed to a process of transparent and open communication with residents as facilitated by our team.
Who will choose, and how?
The Township Council will make the final decision about the willingness to host the DGR near Ignace in the end.
Council's decision will be supported by the data-driven reports from our team that will clearly outline the community position regarding willingness.
The Ignace Community Liaison Committee will bring forth the recommendation from our team to Ignace Town Council.
“There is nothing more important to me and the team than to offer every resident an opportunity to be heard, their voice captured, and their reasons understood. That’s why we chose our slogan - Your Voice, Your Choice. It says it all. We are here to be that neutral party who can bring clarity to the leaders because the resident perspective was deeply honoured.”
Chéla Breckon, Engagement Team Lead
What will be offered?
Residents will have the opportunity to engage with us and the study in three specific ways;
Informal interactions
Community events, access support to navigate the study, or social gatheringsFacilitated interactions
Discussion groups and confidential interviewsFormal interactions
Secure digital tool to log your choice and provide input
We are taking steps to ensure all residents can participate in each of these opportunities in ways that are most accessible to them.
What’s next?
During November 2023, residents will receive an email and/or letter from us to let them know that they are Willingness Study Resident Participants. That email and/or letter will contain clear instructions on how to register and participate.
The Engagement Team will be in town November 24th - 27th offering opportunities to engage and support residents to navigate the study.
Check out the pages of our website yourchoiceignace.ca to learn more and expect to receive updates each month.
We are working for the residents of Ignace and look forward to the community conversations where Ignace residents can clearly state their voice and their choice.
We’re all ears!
Our best,
The Engagement Team
With Chéla Inc.