While it certainly seems unthinkable that the NWMO's nuclear waste transportation and burial scheme would NOT be subject to a comprehensive assessment, it nevertheless required a decision by the Impact Assessment Agency that "further assessment is required". That decision was posted on the public registry on March 23, noting that "IAAC is satisfied that the carrying out of the designated project may cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction or direct or incidental adverse effects, including effects on the environment or to health, social or economic conditions". In plain language: NWMO's project could cause harm.

On the same day, the Agency posted a notice that the Agency, on behalf of the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, had "referred the integrated assessment of the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada's Used Nuclear Fuel Project (the project) to an independent review panel". In plain language: there will be a public hearing.

There are several steps and an  estimated 2-3 years between now and when the public hearing is likely to take place. 

There will be a public comment period on the Panel's Terms of Reference in the next review phase, before the Panel is appointed by the Agency and the CNSC.