Families in Elliot Lake are demanding action by the federal government and mining company BHP to clean up radioactive wastes found on their properties.
Uranium mine waste was widely used as fill for construction in the 1960s in Elliot Lake, and came from uranium mines, now closed. The residents are calling the presence of radioactive waste at their homes “an egregious failure of Canada’s nuclear regulatory system”. Expert testing conducted at the residents’ homes indicate they are being exposed to radiation well above allowable limits.
The clients requested that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) issue an order against the mining company responsible for the uranium mine waste. The order would require the mining company to remove uranium mine waste from the properties of residents of Elliot Lake and place the waste at a licenced waste facility. CNSC denied the request.
CELA and Blaise Law filed an application for judicial review of the CNSC’s decision. An oral hearing at the Federal Court of Canada took place in the summer of 2024. The application was denied due to the Court’s interpretation of section 10 of the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations.
CELA, on behalf of a local resident, filed a notice of appeal of this most recent decision with the Federal Court of Appeal. The hearing took place in February 2026 and was unfortunately denied.
Four families are seeking public support for their request for action by the Federal government, Canada’s nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), and mining company BHP to clean up radioactive wastes found on their properties in the city of Elliot Lake, Ontario.
Mine waste was moved from the nearby Rio Algom (now BHP) uranium mines in the 1960s and used as fill at some residential properties and in construction materials. As we detail below, the families residing in these four homes have been exposed to radon above Health Canada guidelines and doses of radiation above the CNSC’s effective dose limits for members of the public.
Ask the CNSC to protect Elliot Lake families from radioactive waste on their properties. The CNSC must issue an Order against mining company BHP to clean-up the four properties. The mine waste must be placed at one of the local CNSC-licensed waste facilities.
Rumina Velshi, President Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
rumina.velshi@canada.ca
Ask Natural Resources Canada to protect Elliot Lake families from radioactive waste on their properties. The Federal government must apply its Policy for Radioactive Waste and Decommissioning that recognizes Federal jurisdiction for all nuclear matters, including radioactive waste, and requires government authorities to manage radioactive wastes in a manner that protects human health,safety and the environment over the long term.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources Canada
Minister.Ministre@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Families from Elliot Lake take nuclear regulator to court over refusal to order clean up of radioactive mine waste rock
Notice of Application to Federal Court for Judicial Review of CNSC Licensing Decision filed on behalf of Citizens Against Radioactive Neighbourhoods.
Four families are seeking public support for their request for action by the Federal government, Canada’s nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), and BHP to clean up radioactive wastes found on their properties in the city of Elliot
Families in Elliot Lake are demanding action by the federal government and mining company BHP to clean up radioactive wastes found on their properties.
