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Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome – Safe and secure nuclear installations and processes used solely for peaceful purposes and public confidence in the nuclear regulatory regime’s effectiveness

As previously indicated, the CNSC has a single Strategic Outcome which is in place to protect Canadians, in particular: the protection of health, safety, security, and the environment, as well as respect for Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

To support this Strategic Outcome, the CNSC had a single Program Activity, Nuclear Regulation, for this reporting period.

Program Activity: Nuclear Regulation

Within the Nuclear Regulation Program Activity, the CNSC has five Program Sub-Activities, each with a distinct expected result. These program Sub-Activities represent key program areas for the CNSC to achieve its priorities, the expected results of the Program Activity, and the organization’s strategic outcome.

Performance information will be presented according to this Program Activity and Sub-activity structure.

Program Activity: Nuclear Regulation

2008-09 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-09 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
103,427	120,516	118,023	817	758	59

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status
Low frequency of incidents, accidents and precursors.	# of events above zero on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES).	Zero events.	Met There were 0 events above zero on the INES in 2008-09.
	Frequency and severity rate of accidents/events.	Zero reported cases.	Mostly met All events have been tracked and monitored. The CNSC monitors Nuclear Power Plants to ensure worker safety standards are met. One key indicator is a plant’s accident severity rate, which measures the total number of days lost due to injury for every 200,000 person hours worked at the site. Figure 1 shows the average accident severity rates for NPPs from 2003 to 2008, demonstrating that NPP occupational health and safety practices are very safe for personnel. The overall trend has decreased from 4.48 in 2003 to 2.39 in 2008.
International transfers of nuclear goods and technology are solely for peaceful purposes.	Nuclear goods and technology exported from Canada under bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs) remain in peaceful use.	Positive IAEA conclusion reached in all recipient countries.	Met The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) drew a positive safeguards conclusion for all recipient countries.
	Number of Administrative Arrangements (AAs) for implementing NCAs negotiated/amended to remain effective.	Targets set on annual work planning basis	Met The NCA with Jordan was signed February 2009; the CNSC negotiated a corresponding AA technical draft with the Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March 2009 (currently undergoing final technical/legal reviews). The CNSC participated in NCA and AA bilateral consultations held with China in January 2009; progress was made on resolution of uranium transfer issues.

Performance Summary

Each year, CNSC staff review applications for operating licences, including renewals and amendments to assess licensees’ qualifications to safely operate a nuclear generating station. Applications and CNSC staff recommendations are then presented to the Commission Tribunal. If satisfied that the proponent is qualified and will make adequate provisions to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment, the Commission Tribunal may issue a licence that contains conditions that are appropriate for the facility. CNSC operating licences are for closed-term periods, and are subject to renewal on the basis of compliance with the licence terms.

As a result of their compliance inspections and verification activities, CNSC staff concluded that nuclear power plants in Canada operated safely during 2008:

• There were no serious process failures at the nuclear power plants.
• No workers at any nuclear power plant, or a member of the public, received a radiation dose above the regulatory limits.
• No environmental releases from the plants were above regulatory limits.
• Canada was able to meet its international obligations regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

As a result of the CNSC’s work, the use of nuclear materials and nuclear facilities in Canada continued to be safe and secure this year.

Benefits for Canadians

The benefits of this Program Activity to Canadians are that the Canadian nuclear industry remained safe and secure, with no major nuclear accidents or events occurring. The CNSC is the sole federal authority to regulate nuclear energy and substances in Canada and to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians. The majority of the CNSC’s core functions involve undertaking licensing and compliance activities in a risk-informed fashion to ensure that licensees meet regulatory requirements set out in their licences. Typically, in a fiscal year, the CNSC will undertake between 1,500 and 2,000 inspections. In 2008-09, the CNSC’s regulatory oversight spanned 3,300 licences and 2,000 licensees from all across Canada.

As well, Canada once again ensured that international transfers of nuclear goods and technology were solely for peaceful purposes.

The CNSC licenses the NRU reactor as well as the hospitals and clinics across Canada that use medical isotopes. The shutdown in December 2007 and subsequent legislation passed by Parliament underscores the continuing importance of a clear and pragmatic regulatory framework for effective and efficient assessment and licensing decision-making to ensure the safety of Canadians and protection of the environment.

Program Analysis

The CNSC demonstrated effective nuclear regulation this year, and made progress towards the achievement of expected results as illustrated by positive performance in all five of the supporting Sub-Activities: Regulatory Framework, Licensing and Certification, Compliance, Cooperative Undertakings, and Stakeholder Relations.

As part of the CNSC’s day-to-day work in carrying out regulatory oversight of nuclear licences in Canada, the organization conducted nearly 2000 inspections and assessed many licence applications, renewals and amendments.

Also this year, the CNSC reviewed several new nuclear power plant designs to verify their acceptability against Canadian safety criteria. The CNSC completed Phase I of the review for AECL’s ACR-1000 and initiated reviews of Westinghouse’s AP1000 and Areva’s US-EPR. These reviews will provide vendors with the CNSC’s regulatory expectations for new nuclear power plants. While continuing to meet our day-to-day regulatory responsibilities, the CNSC has indeed been readying for the possibility of new technologies and for the new demands that will inevitably be placed on us as a regulatory agency. To prepare, the CNSC has modernized its regulatory framework and, to help promote efficiency and effectiveness, has increased its engagement with a wide range of government partners.

On the international front, the CNSC continued to participate vigorously in the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Energy Agency. These fora provide opportunities to share best practices in nuclear safety and strengthen Canada’s commitments to non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear materials.

Because of a renewed focus on nuclear power, medical and industrial uses of nuclear substances, and nuclear security, the CNSC had to adapt its operations and focus its efforts on priority areas in 2008–09. Throughout the year, we worked to clarify our role and communicate what we do for Canadians.

Further details can be found in the following performance tables.

Lessons Learned

Although the CNSC had positive performance results this year, the organization has been focused on a number of opportunities for improvement in recent years. In response to the extended shutdown of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in December 2007, which resulted in concerns about the supply of radioactive isotopes used for medical diagnostics and treatment, the CNSC and AECL jointly commissioned an external review (the Talisman Report) of the events leading up to the shutdown to learn lessons that would prevent a similar occurrence in the future. As a result, the CNSC created the Harmonized Plan to bring these and other corporate-wide improvement initiatives under one umbrella.

The CNSC completed all NRU-specific actions from the Talisman Report recommendations during this fiscal year.

As well, the CNSC has been preparing for an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission – a voluntary peer review by International Atomic Energy Agency and foreign regulatory experts to compare the CNSC’s regulatory practices with international standards and equivalent good-practices in other parts of the world. Results of this review and other internal assessments are expected to inform additional improvements for the CNSC to pursue in the next fiscal year.

Analysis by Program Sub-activity

The following analysis presents the results of the five Program Sub-activities that fall under the Nuclear Regulation Program Activity. These Sub-activities represent key areas for achieving the priorities identified in Section I.

Program Sub activity: Regulatory Framework

2008-09 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-09 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
11,583	13,543	11,743	60	44	16

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status
A clear and pragmatic regulatory framework.	Satisfaction levels of licensees across key performance areas.	Increasing trend in survey results over a 3 year period, stable thereafter.	N/A Due to Government of Canada directive not to proceed with any polling activities.
	Number of legal challenges to the regulatory framework.	Minimal/declining number of challenges and/or high success rate of defending challenges.	Met There were no legal challenges to the regulatory framework in 2008-09.

Performance Summary

Progress continued towards maintaining a clear and pragmatic regulatory framework. Although polling activities to assess licensee satisfaction levels were not conducted, the CNSC showed positive results in that there were no legal challenges to the regulatory framework.

Successes this year included the approval of key regulatory documents for public consultation and publication, the purpose of which is to provide a clear, transparent and risk-informed set of requirements and direction or guidance in meeting the requirements of the NSCA and other associated legislation. The CNSC also provided support for new nuclear projects and refurbishment work.

The Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations and the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations were amended to correct a number of regulatory deficiencies and to adopt the latest relevant international standards.

The CNSC is continuing ongoing efforts to update its regulatory framework for nuclear power plants to draw upon international standards and best practices where provinces choose to move towards nuclear power. The CNSC published Design of New Nuclear Power Plants and Site Evaluation for New Nuclear Power Plants. These regulatory documents complement Safety Analysis for Nuclear Power Plants, which was released in late 2008-09.

The CNSC engaged government partners through the Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) to ensure clarity of requirements and efficiency in regulating new nuclear projects for:

• Bruce Power’s New Nuclear Power Plant Project in Tiverton, Ontario
• Bruce Power’s New Nuclear Power Plant Project in Nanticoke, Ontario
• Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project in Bowmanville, Ontario
• Deep Geologic Repository Project in Tiverton, Ontario

Benefits for Canadians

Under this Sub-activity, the CNSC maintains an evergreen assessment of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), to ensure that the Act continues to provide the CNSC with the regulatory powers and authorities needed to protect Canadians’ health, safety, environment and security, and to enforce compliance with Canada’s international obligations regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including the administrative powers to do so as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Program Analysis

One of the guiding principles of the CNSC is to adopt or adapt existing internationally recognized standards where possible and to limit the number of specific Canadian regulatory requirements or approaches to instances when they are warranted by Canadian circumstances and when they result over time in the greatest overall benefit to Canadians. As part of this Sub-activity, the CNSC is benchmarking the NSCA and its Regulatory Framework against those of other federal regulators, such as the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and against the guidance issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency in support of improving and maintaining a clear and pragmatic Canadian framework.

Lessons Learned

For the licensing of new nuclear power plants, the CNSC has developed a process-based approach of Assessment Plans and Staff Review Guides integrated with a Project Management framework to guide and support assessments of licence applications and Environmental Assessments (EAs). This leading edge regulatory practice ensures that appropriate and consistent reviews are performed for all applications. The CNSC has identified areas where improved guidance and direction early in the licensing process results in timeline efficiencies later in the process.

Program Sub activity: Licensing and Certification

2008-09 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-09 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
34,458	42,279	41,460	286	218	68

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status
Individuals and organizations that operate safely and conform to safeguards and non-proliferation requirements.	Number of licences issued as per service standards.	Per external service standards.	Met For details on the CNSC’s licensing activities, see the External Performance Standards table in Section III: Supplementary Information. In addition to the results provided in the External Performance Standards table, approximately 820 applications for export or import of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use goods and technology were processed and assessed. Approximately 210 applications for export of risk-significant radioactive sources (RSRS) were processed and assessed. All bilateral Requests for Consents and prior notifications required pursuant to regulatory controls on exports and imports of RSRS were administered consistent with service standards and bilateral commitments.

Performance Summary

In support of the expected result of individuals and organizations that operate safely and conform to safeguards and non-proliferation requirements, the CNSC assessed applications for, and issued and amended a number of licences and certificates pertaining to everything from uranium mines and mills, to transport licences, to import or export of nuclear material.

In 2008-09, CNSC issued new certifications to:

• 60 nuclear power plant personnel;
• 2 non-power reactor personnel;
• 170 Exposure Device Operators; and
• renewed 62 certifications for nuclear power plant personnel.

Additionally, pre-project vendor design reviews were provided:

• Phase I for the ACR-1000 design review was completed; and
• The CNSC began to review Westinghouse AP1000 and AREVA US-EPR designs.

In 2008, the CNSC identified ways to streamline and further improve its Environmental Assessment (EA) and licensing process for screening EAs. The CNSC posted a draft document titled Process Improvement Initiatives for Screening Environmental Assessments at the CNSC on its Web site for public review and comment. The feedback was considered before a revised draft was presented to the Commission which endorsed the improved process in August 2008. Additional information on EAs can be found on at nuclearsafety.gc.ca.

As well, the CNSC has been working with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to coordinate the EA process for new major projects that may be assessed by a Joint Review Panel (JRP).

Benefits for Canadians

This Sub-activity benefits Canadians by ensuring that applicants for licenses and certificates fully meet the requirements of the NSCA and related legislation before they are permitted to engage in a given activity with a nuclear component. In this way, this Sub-activity is central to meeting the CNSC’s mandate of protecting the health, safety, and security of Canadians and the environment, and in respecting Canada’s international commitments to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Program Analysis

While the CNSC must maintain a strong, competent and independent ability to assess applications and make determinations about the qualifications of applicants and the quality of their programs, the organization is improving alignment to federal roles as a participant in the Government of Canada’s Major Projects Management Office (MPMO). The CNSC fully supports the MPMO’s objectives and goals of improving the federal regulatory system for major natural resource projects. The CNSC will continue to work with its MPMO partners to coordinate regulatory activities related to major nuclear projects, and examine administrative, regulatory and legislative options to advance the principles of the MPMO.

Lessons Learned

In response to the extended shutdown of the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor in December 2007, which resulted in concerns about the supply of radioactive isotopes used for medical diagnostics and treatment, the CNSC and AECL jointly commissioned an external review, by an independent review team from consultancy Talisman International, LLC, of the events leading up to the shutdown to learn lessons that would prevent a similar occurrence in the future. The resulting lessons learned report outlined 15 summary and 66 detailed recommendations (41 applicable to the CNSC), which both the CNSC and AECL fully accepted. The CNSC immediately initiated corrective actions.

As of March 31, 2009, all NRU-specific actions had been closed, along with 28 broader action items. Other progress includes the signing of a new protocol for communication between the CNSC and AECL, a problem-resolution process, and the development and implementation of a system to track NRU regulatory commitments. The remaining action items (13) have been incorporated as part of the CNSC’s Harmonized Plan for Improvement Initiatives. Work on the Harmonized Plan is progressing and focusing primarily on clarifying and strengthening the CNSC’s broader licensing, inspection and enforcement processes.

Program Sub activity: Compliance

2008-09 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-09 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
33,355	38,284	37,494	310	296	14

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status
A high level of compliance with the regulatory framework.	Degree/level of reconciliation between Canada and other countries of nuclear inventories subject to bilateral NCAs.	Targets set on an annual work planning basis	Met All nuclear transfer notifications and reports required to be issued by CNSC as a result of pending nuclear export and import authorizations and associated bilateral compliance procedures pursuant to NCAs and corresponding Administrative Arrangements (AAs) have been made. All Annual Inventory Reports (AIRs) for 2008 required to be submitted by CNSC pursuant to requirements of bilateral NCAs and associated AAs have been issued; all AIRs received by CNSC to-date in current fiscal year have been reviewed, and issues requiring consultation with foreign counterparts identified for action by staff.
	Compliance inspections closed as per performance standards.	Per external performance standards.	Mostly met For details, see the External Performance Standards table in Section III: Supplementary Information.
	Adherence with Sealed Source Tracking requirements.	All on time, 100% match with Registry.	Met Sealed Sources are being tracked. As of the end of 2008-2009, there were 1,132 transactions, 2,038 sealed sources involved, 106 licences involved.
	Nuclear material ’ledger’ reconciliations between CNSC and licensees.	Identical inventory records or reconciliation of nuclear material.	Met Reconciliation is complete.

 

Performance Summary

The CNSC was successful in confirming a high level of compliance with the regulatory framework this year. A significant number of compliance inspections were carried out, the CNSC made further progress in developing its Sealed Source Tracking System, and the CNSC fulfilled its responsibilities related to bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements.

Benefits for Canadians

The benefit of this Sub-activity to Canadians is that the CNSC can assure them that licensees are operating in compliance with their licences and underlying legislation and bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (and thus that the health, safety, and security of Canadians and the environment are being protected, and that Canada is respecting its international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and non-proliferation).

National Sealed Source Registry

In January 2006, Canada became the first G8 country to develop a national registry of sealed sources and to implement a Web-based tracking system for high risk sealed sources. The National Sealed Source Registry (NSSR) was developed and is maintained by the CNSC and contains information on sealed sources under licence in Canada. The Sealed Source Tracking System (SSTS) is the module of the NSSR used to record the movement of Category 1 and 2 sources in Canada. This is a secure web-based portal available to registered licensees. An annual report on the information contained in the registry is published on the CNSC’s public Web site. In 2008-09, there were over 21,000 sources in all categories registered in the NSSR and over 43,000 transactions to the registry.

Program Analysis

The number of reviews of mandatory licensee reports does not generally vary year to year. Over the past several years, a conscious decision has been made to shift limited resources on a risk-informed priority basis; whereby Type I inspections (more resource-intensive, complex program-based, on-site reviews) have been replaced with Type II inspections (point-in-time, program output-based reviews) where merited and justified by licensee performance.

In general, the high rates of industry compliance with the regulatory framework that the CNSC has observed can be directly and positively attributed to the CNSC’s visible, focused, flexible and varied verification program.

Lessons Learned

The CNSC continually engages in discussions with international nuclear regulators to exchange lessons learned from their compliance programs and develop best practices. Compliance programs from other nuclear regulators (such as the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission) are also regularly considered to gauge potential effectiveness. Nationally, the CNSC enters into arrangements with provincial authorities to effectively facilitate cooperation between regulators. A good example of this collaboration is the coordinated approach to the regulation of uranium mines and mills in Saskatchewan, whereby through a Memorandum of Understanding, federal and provincial authorities work together to minimize duplication while ensuring that all regulatory requirements are verified.

Program Sub activity: Cooperative Undertakings

2008-09 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-09 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
16,655	18,304	17,899	98	120	(22)

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status
CNSC cooperates and integrates its activities in national and international fora.	Number of international and domestic initiatives for strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime that are supported by CNSC technical and policy expertise.	Targets set on an annual work planning basis	Met CNSC staff continued participation in the IAEA Standing Advisory Group on Safeguards Implementation as Chair of the Group, and in the current fiscal year there was one working group meeting and two plenary meetings. Bilateral Administrative Arrangements (AAs) for risk-significant radioactive sources (RSRS) have been signed between CNSC and counterparts in Mexico and Columbia; RSRS AAs with Brazil and Argentina anticipated to be signed Q1 of FY 2009-10; the CNSC negotiated a RSRS AA with Italy in March 2009 (currently undergoing final technical and legal review). The CNSC also provided further support as part of Canadian delegations in Nuclear Supplies Group meetings on controls of transfer of sensitive technology. The CNSC finalized preparations for a protocol on cooperation regarding new build with the French regulator (protocol subsequently signed in April 2009). The CNSC continues to work on new or renewed cooperation arrangements with a variety of foreign regulatory partners, and is expecting to sign new or updated arrangements with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission in June 2009.

Performance Summary

The CNSC has continued to be active in cooperating and integrating its activities in national and international fora, and this year’s performance indicates that the CNSC has continued to effectively establish and maintain collaborations with other organizations within Canada and abroad to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials.

In 2008, the IAEA once again concluded that all nuclear material in Canada remained in peaceful activities.

Regulatory cooperation arrangements

The CNSC maintains nuclear regulatory cooperation arrangements with over a dozen foreign regulators, and strives to develop additional protocols to leverage regulatory experience and ensure best practices are available and used for the safety and security of Canadians. Some examples of such arrangements are:

• An arrangement with Argentina’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) for technical cooperation and exchange of information in nuclear regulatory matters.
• An arrangement with the Republic of Korea’s Atomic Energy Bureau of the Ministry of Science and Technology was made with respect to technical regulatory matters involving CANDU nuclear power plants.

Memorandum of Understanding

• In 2008–09, the CNSC continued work on new or renewed bilateral arrangements with nuclear regulatory agencies in Finland, France, Romania and the USA to facilitate the exchange of regulatory information between the CNSC and foreign regulators.

Benefits for Canadians

This program benefits Canadians in that the CNSC works with other national and international organizations to ensure that nuclear energy and materials are regulated effectively, which ultimately helps to protect the health, safety, and security of Canadians and their environment. Through its cooperative undertakings, the CNSC also has regular access to best practices and lessons learned from other organizations, which in turn help the CNSC to maximize the delivery of its mandate. The CNSC is also able to share its own best practices and lessons learned with its partner organizations.

Program Analysis

As a result of the effective implementation of Canada’s obligations, no nuclear or nuclear-related exports from Canada have been used for non-peaceful purposes and the IAEA has been able to conclude, on an annual basis, that all declared nuclear material in Canada is used for peaceful purposes and that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Canada. These assurances substantiate Government objectives to be a world leader in the nuclear non-proliferation field by making and complying with international commitments and by promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide.

Lessons Learned

To further improve the development of domestic and international arrangements, the CNSC is strengthening the consultation process. The CNSC is also enhancing alignment with both the Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation and the associated Guidelines on International Regulatory Obligations and Cooperation.

The CNSC participated in the IAEA International Generic Ageing Lessons Learned this year to address ageing management reviews and condition assessments for nuclear power plant structures, systems and components during licence renewal for life extension.

The CNSC also participates with foreign regulatory agencies and the nuclear industry in IMPACT, an international research project on external hazards to nuclear power plants managed by a research organization of Finland’s government.

 

 

Program Sub activity: Stakeholder Relations

2008-09 Financial Resources ($ thousands)			2008-09 Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Difference
7,376	8,106	9,427	63	80	(17)

 

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets	Performance Status
Increased stakeholder understanding of the regulatory program.	Timeliness of responses to public enquiries.	100% (low complexity - same day, medium complexity - 5 business days, high complexity - 10 business days).	Mostly met 260 interveners attended CNSC public hearings this year. The CNSC responded to 125 media calls and approximately 1,250 public inquiry calls and emails. As a result of categorizing types of public inquiries, the CNSC was able to identify areas of its Web site where information was incomplete or lacking and, subsequently, to develop material that will assist the public.
	Increased stakeholder understanding of CNSC’s regulatory mandate.	Increasing trend in survey results over a 3-year period, stable thereafter.	N/A Due to Government of Canada directive not to proceed with any polling activities.
	Increased stakeholder confidence in CNSC’s ability to regulate.	Increasing trend in survey results over a 3 year period, stable thereafter.	N/A Due to Government of Canada directive not to proceed with any polling activities.

Performance Summary

The CNSC had success in reorganizing its Web site based on enquiries made by the public. The CNSC also continued its work in the area of Aboriginal consultation, and undertook a variety of outreach initiatives with communities, as well as academic, industrial, and international organizations.

The CNSC remains committed to helping licensees understand and comply with its regulatory regime. Throughout 2008-09, the CNSC convened two regional meetings with approximately 80 industrial radiography licensees to clarify regulatory requirements, respond to their concerns and present new regulatory initiatives. CNSC staff also conducted outreach with licensees in Victoria, Vancouver and Winnipeg, continuing a program of cross-country information presentations that were initiated in early 2007 and will continue in 2009-10.

The CNSC took steps to strengthen Aboriginal consultation. Since signing the Memorandum of Understanding for the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects in August of 2007, the CNSC has been a full participant in the development of the Government of Canada’s approach to Aboriginal consultation for major resource projects. This approach, like all CNSC interactions with Aboriginal communities, is guided by the Interim Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Legal Duty to Consult, issued in February 2008. The CNSC has been reviewing its policies and procedures as well as its regulatory regime and other guidance to proponents, to help the CNSC in meeting the legal obligations for Aboriginal consultation on CNSC-regulated projects.

Benefits for Canadians

This Sub-activity aims to ensure that the CNSC’s non-licensee and non-governmental related organizations are informed on the activities, policies, programs and the role of the CNSC, and that they have an opportunity to ask questions and express their views. This Sub-activity also aims to provide objective scientific and technical information on the areas that the CNSC regulates, and to engage the CNSC’s stakeholders to solicit their input on regulatory issues and enhance the quality of the CNSC’s work and decisions. Licensees and government stakeholders (domestic and international) are also targeted to ensure they are appropriately informed about, and/or consulted on, the activities, policies, programs and the role of the CNSC.

Program Analysis

The CNSC has observed that there is significant interest in communities where major nuclear facilities exist or are planned (host communities), increasing the need for more stakeholder engagement. Canada is also home to aging nuclear facilities whose host communities have a significantly higher interest in nuclear safety and related issues, leading to the need for more frequent stakeholder engagement in these locales (e.g., Chalk River, Port Hope). These trends are expected to continue to generate increased levels of stakeholder engagement, outreach and supporting communications activities.

Ongoing improvements to the CNSC’s external Web site to facilitate access to information and participation in public consultation are anticipated along with the increasing interest on the part of stakeholders.

Lessons Learned

The CNSC has identified that it needs to implement a more consistent and comprehensive approach to track and analyze all stakeholder engagement activities. Benchmark/baseline data on public perceptions of the CNSC, the regulation of the nuclear industry in Canada and the safety of nuclear power plants and other facilities is limited. Although plans to conduct such public opinion research were cancelled following the federal budget, ongoing polling of this nature would identify changes in public perceptions and provide insight into the effectiveness of communications and engagement activities.

With an increase of uranium mining and nuclear power plant new-build activity, and further awareness of the duty to consult precedents by Aboriginal groups, consultation demands have been increasing steadily. Requests for meetings by numerous Aboriginal organizations are increasing as has the number of interventions to the Commission regarding Aboriginal issues. These increasing consultations will require the CNSC to build capacity to address these pressures.

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