CNSC Public Information Brochure e

8/12/2019 CNSC Public Information Brochure e

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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

We will nevercompromise

safety.


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Making fair,independent licensing

decisions.The CNSC is Canadas nuclear regulator

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) oversees the use ofnuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and securityof Canadians and the environment and to implement Canadasinternational commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Since 1946, the CNSC and its predecessor, the Atomic EnergyControl Board, have regulated Canadas nuclear sector, continuouslystrengthening Canadas laws, regulations and licensing requirements,and enforcing compliance by licensees.

Canadas nuclear sector has an excellent safety record, and its nuclearfacilities are among the safest and most secure in the world due in largepart to the CNSCs strong, effective regulation. Today, the CNSC continuesto help ensure that Canada remains a world leader in nuclear safety.

The CNSC works with other Government of Canada organizations thatplay important roles to ensure that nuclear energy and materials are used

safely and securely in Canada and around the world, including Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Health Canada, EnvironmentCanada and Transport Canada. The CNSC also works with many otherdomestic and international organizations and regulators to fulll itsmandate.

Did you know?International peer reviewshave consistently found thatCanadas nuclear regulatordoes an effective job.

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The Commission Tribunal

The Commission Tribunal is a central part of the CNSCs operations.It acts as an independent body that:

makes informed, transparent decisions on the licensing of majornuclear facilities and nuclear-related activities

establishes legally binding regulations and sets regulatory policy is supported by a staff organization made up of experts such as

environmental and radiation protection specialists, nuclear physicistsand engineers

delegates about 2,500 low-risk licensing decisions annually todesignated ofcers qualied to make decisions on its behalf

Committed to open public communicationThe Tribunal conducts as much business as possible in publichearings and where feasible in communities most affectedby the matter at hand. All public hearings are broadcast live onthe Internet and archived on the CNSC Web site for three months.

Transcripts of public hearings and meetings are available online.

After a hearing, the Tribunal makes a decision, only granting alicence to an applicant that demonstrates it is qualied.

nuclearsafety.gc.ca

Did you know?The CNSC workswith other domesticand internationalorganizations toalways be preparedfor potential nuclearemergencies.


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Keeping Canadasnuclear facilitiessafe.

Safe Canadian nuclear facilities and activities

Since 1946, Canadians have beneted from a safe nuclear industry, due inlarge part to the CNSCs diligent regulatory oversight. Safety continues to bethe CNSCs number-one priority.

Safe uranium miningCanadas uranium mining industry has an excellent safety track record.Most operating Canadian uranium mines and mills are in Saskatchewan,where the CNSC has a regional ofce with full-time experts who inspect andmonitor licensee operations.

Safe nuclear powerCanada has four nuclear fuel processing facilities, as well as 20 operatingpower reactors situated in ve nuclear power plants. The CNSC has full-timeinspectors onsite at every Canadian nuclear power plant toensure safety and compliance.

Safe nuclear medicine

The CNSC regulates nuclear materials used in medicine; for example,it ensures that radioisotopes for diagnosing and treating cancer andother diseases are produced and handled safely and securely.

Safe environmentProtecting the environment is an important part of the CNSCs work. TheCNSC requires licensees to evaluate the potential impact of their proposedactivities and to reduce or avoid any adverse environmental effects.

Safe nuclear research and industrial usesThe CNSC regulates nuclear materials used in research and industry, such

as low-power reactors at universities and nuclear gauges for oiland gas exploration.

Safe waste managementThe CNSC strictly regulates radioactive waste, which is stored inspecially designed facilities engineered for safety.

Did you know?Uranium mining isthe only miningindustry in Canada thatis federally licensedand regulated.

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Communicating with the publicand stakeholdersThe CNSC engages in ongoing public dialogue about its regulatory role.

Disseminating informationThe CNSC communicates its activities and provides informationto the public about the effects of nuclear materials and facilities on theenvironment, and on peoples health and safety. On an ongoing basis,

it informs the public about the development, production, possession,transport and use of nuclear substances. This is accomplished throughpublic meetings, reports, the Internet and presentations.

Community outreachCNSC experts regularly visit communities across Canada, wherethey make presentations, hold open houses, hear opinions, andanswer questions from people who may be concerned aboutnuclear facilities in their communities. The CNSC also offersfunding through its Participant Funding Program to give thepublic, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders the opportunity

to participate in its regulatory process.

Public information programsThe CNSC requires licensees of major nuclear facilities todevelop and implement public information programs, to keep thepublic informed about their nuclear activities and any potentialrelated impact on public health and the environment.

International activitiesParticipation in international fora

CNSC subject-matter experts also share expertise andparticipate in many international committees, groups, meetings andresearch projects committed to ensuring a safe, secure and peacefulnuclear sector, both now and in the future.

International commitmentsThe CNSC ensures that Canadians and Canadian companies comply withCanadas international obligations on the peaceful use of nuclear materialsand technology. It also implements Canadas international commitmentsrelated to nuclear non-proliferation, safeguards and security.

Did you know?The CNSCs expertsvisit Canadiancommunities to answerquestions about thesafety of local nuclearfacilities.

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Protecting Canadiansand the

environment.Regulating for safetyThe CNSC manages its licensing and compliance activities based on risk.Its staff assess the chance of any potential nuclear-related event happening,and its resulting consequences, and instruct licensees to put specicmeasures in place to reduce or avoid those risks.

The CNSC requires licensees to implement designs and operate facilities withmultiple safety layers. That way, if one safety system or program fails, others

will keep the facility and workers safe, limit potential emissions and allowtime to correct the problem.

The CNSC licensing process A CNSC licence is needed to undertake a nuclear activity or project, withseparate licence authorizations required at each stage of a major nuclearfacilitys life. A CNSC licence is also needed to possess, use, transfer andstore nuclear substances.

The CNSC evaluates licence applications to ensure that safety measuresare technically and scientically sound, that all requirements are met, and

that the appropriate safety systems are in place to protectpeople and the environment.

The licensing process offers signicant opportunitiesfor public participation. Commission Tribunal hearings

and meetings are open to the public and are Webcastlive. The CNSC and potential licensees also engage

proactively with Aboriginal groups who may beaffected by a potential project.

Did you know?CNSC experts reviewand analyze licenseesenvironmentalperformance to makesure the environmentis protected.

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Stringent complianceand enforcement

The CNSC monitors licensee performance against 14 separatesafety and control areas. The Commission Tribunal requires periodic updateson the safety of nuclear facilities and reviews reports of events and incidents.

InspectionsThe CNSC conducts two different types of licensee inspections:

Type I inspections, which are thorough, resource-intensive, complexon-site reviews that assess and verify key areas of compliance. Theseare usually conducted by a CNSC inspection team and are systematic,planned, and documented.

Type II inspections, which may be planned or reactive, announced orunannounced, and are conducted by one CNSC inspector or ateam. They verify the results of licensee processes and includeroutine inspections or rounds to check equipment, systems,records and products.

Regular reviews of licensee reportsThe CNSC annually reviews hundreds of licensee reports on manysubjects, such as environmental performance and maintenanceof aging reactors. Licensees must also notify the CNSC withinprescribed deadlines of any signicant events or situations thatvary from normal operations. These events are reported to theCommission Tribunal and may be followed by detailed complianceassessments, corrective actions and/or enforcement actions.

CNSC verication at its state-of-the-art laboratoryThe CNSCs state-of-the-art laboratory currently offers calibrationand analytical services. These allow the CNSC to better supportand verify licensees radiation, environmental and safeguards

programs and emergency preparedness procedures.

The CNSC carefully reviews non-compliance and takes action toensure any situation is quickly corrected. Measures range from arequest to the licensee for corrective action, up to and includingrevocation of a licence or a recommendation for criminalprosecution.

nuclearsafety.gc.ca

Did you know?The CNSC publishesan annual report cardon Canadian nuclearpower plant safetyperformance.


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We will nevercompromise

safety.nuclearsafety.gc.caFor more information about the Canadian nuclear sector, visit the CNSCsWeb site. Subscribe at nuclearsafety.gc.ca/subscribe to receive emailnotications about:

Commission Tribunal hearing documents, meeting notices,

agendas and decisions news releases, information updates, notices of regulatory action and

publication announcements notices of CNSC consultations and upcoming events

Visit nuclearsafety.gc.ca to search for, download and orderCNSC publications.

Contact the CNSCPhone: 1-800-668-5284 (in Canada) or613-995-5894 (within the National Capital Region or outside Canada)

Fax: 613-995-5086Email: [email protected]: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 280 Slater Street P.O. Box 1046 Station B

Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9

Documents

CNSC Public Information Brochure e