ARCHIVED - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - Report

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page

This page has been archived.

Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic outcome

The CNSC has a single strategic outcome: safe and secure nuclear installations and processes used solely for peaceful purposes and public confidence in the nuclear regulatory regime’s effectiveness. To support this outcome, the CNSC has four program activities: Regulatory Framework, Licensing and Certification, Compliance, and Internal Services.

The following section describes the CNSC’s program activities and identifies the expected results, performance indicators and targets for each of them. It also presents the financial and human resources that will be dedicated to each activity, and explains planning highlights.

Program Activity: Regulatory Framework

[text version]

Financial resources
($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
28,041	28,719	29,847

Human resources
(full-time equivalents – FTEs)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
173	173	173

Program Activity Expected Results and Performance Indicators

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
A clear and pragmatic regulatory framework.	Number of legal challenges to the regulatory framework.	Zero challenges, or high success rate of defending challenges.

Program activity description

The Regulatory Framework program is in place to ensure that Canada has a clear and pragmatic regulatory framework for the nuclear industry in Canada.

Funds are used to develop and make improvements to elements of the regulatory framework (such as the Nuclear Safety Control Actand regulations under the Act; regulatory documents, such as policies, standards and guides; the Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol between Canada and the International Atomic Energy Agency; and Canada’s bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements) that protect the health, safety, security and environment for Canadians, while implementing Canada’s international commitments on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The CNSC also designates installations under the Nuclear Liability Act and, as a responsible authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, carries out environmental assessments for nuclear projects in accordance with this legislation.

The following table aligns the Regulatory Framework planning highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Regulatory Framework: Core regulatory operations

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Negotiate new and amended bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements and administrative arrangements:
New administrative arrangements with Department of Atomic Energy, India	March 2013
Consult on a policy on fitness for duty (drug and alcohol testing ) at major nuclear facilities.	March 2013
Consult on a policy on safety culture in Canada’s nuclear industry.	March 2013
Implement a renewed CNSC Research Program.	March 2013

Regulatory Framework: Commitment to ongoing improvement

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Implement the staff action plan on the CNSC Fukushima Task Force recommendations. The action plan will focus on the following 3 categories:
strengthening reactor defence in depth	Dec. 2015*
improving emergency response	Dec. 2013*
improving regulatory framework and licensing of operating nuclear power plants in Canada	Dec. 2015*
Respond to the Government of Canada’s Regulatory reform initiatives:
Red Tape Reduction Commission	March 2013
Strengthen CNSC consultation practices related to regulatory initiatives.	March 2013
Establish implementation plans for MOUs with:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada	March 2013
Transport Canada	March 2013

Regulatory Framework: Clarity of requirements

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Continue modernization of the Regulatory Framework Plan, including:
regulatory document / guidance document (RD/GD-388) on the systematic approach to training	March 2013
regulatory documents for new nuclear reactors	March 2013
a modern framework for waste management	March 2013
Radiation Protection Regulations discussion paper	June 2012
Release Limit Charter (implementation of a process establishing effluent limits at nuclear facilities)	March 2013
RD/GD-204,Certification of Persons Working at Nuclear Power Plants	March 2013
RD/GD-316, Requirements for Initial Certification Examinations for Shift Personnel Working at Nuclear Power Plants	March 2013

Regulatory Framework: Communication

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Deliver the CNSC 101 course, an information session on what and how the CNSC regulates, to communities across Canada.	Ongoing

* Under the three categories there are specific actions to address the 13 Task Force Recommendations. These dates represent the final actions to close a category. For further details please see the full CNSC Staff Action Plan on the CNSC Fukushima Task Force Recommendations.

Program Activity: Licensing and Certification

[text version]

Financial resources
($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
20,150	20,692	21,477

Human resources
(full-time equivalents – FTEs)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
143	143	143

Program Activity Expected Results and Performance Indicators

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Licences and certificates issued as per regulatory requirements.	Application completeness notifications and licensing decisions are issued within time lines defined by external performance standards.	Per external performance standards. For complete details please see the External Performance Standards table in “Section IV: Other Items of Interest”.

Program activity description

The Licensing and Certification program is in place to issue licences or certify persons, and prescribed equipment for conducting nuclear-related activities in Canada.

With this program activity’s funding, the CNSC obtains evidence of an applicant’s ability to operate safely and comply with all regulatory requirements.

The CNSC undertakes this work to obtain assurance that nuclear activities and facilities in Canada are managed with adequate provision for protection of the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment, and the fulfillment of international commitments to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The following table aligns the Licensing and Certification planning highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Licensing and Certification: Core regulatory operations

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Conduct licence application assessments (including environmental assessments) for new major nuclear projects (power reactors, uranium mines and mills, waste management facilities):
OPG Darlington new build	March 2013
Deep Geologic Repository	March 2013
Millennium Uranium Mine	March 2013
Matoush	March 2013
Continue regulatory oversight (licensing, certification and compliance verification) for more than 2,500 licensees of nuclear substances, prescribed equipment and Class II nuclear facilities involved in medical, industrial, commercial and academic settings.	Ongoing
Implement regulatory oversight (licensing, certification and compliance verification) of low-energy accelerators.	March 2014
Extend requirement for financial guarantees to Class II nuclear facilities and users of nuclear substances and prescribed equipment.	March 2014
Support Joint Review Panel for the Deep Geologic Repository.	March 2013
Undertake regulatory reviews of applications for licence renewals, under the new licence format and licence condition handbook for:
Darlington power reactor operating licence (hearings)	Dec 2012
TRIUMF Accelerators Inc. (hearing)	May 2012
Canadian Light Source Inc. (hearing)	June 2012
Undertake regulatory reviews of applications to consolidate and renew Pickering A and Pickering B power reactor operating licences (hearings).	June 2013
Provide regulatory oversight of the Fuel Channel Life Management Project applicable for the continued operation at Pickering B, Darlington, Bruce A and Bruce B.	Ongoing
Implement the Fukushima Action Plan.	Ongoing
Provide regulatory oversight for refurbishment projects:
return to service of Point Lepreau station	Ongoing
integrated safety review for Gentilly-2 (pending Provincial decision)	Ongoing
integrated safety review for Bruce A Units 3 and 4 (pending Bruce Power decision)	Ongoing
integrated safety review and environmental impact statement for Darlington	March 2013
EA screening report to commission	Nov. 2012
Integrated safety review agreement	July  2013
Continue regulatory oversight of the Port Hope Area Initiative.	Ongoing
Undertake regulatory reviews for non-reactor applications for medical isotopes.	Ongoing

Licensing and Certification: Commitment to ongoing improvement

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Implement licence reform for uranium mines and mills.	Sept 2013
Continue analysis of aging on reactor operation, including fitness for service and development of a strategy for the preservation of safety margins.	Ongoing

Licensing and Certification: Clarity of requirements

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Undertake vendor design reviews:
EC-6 Phases 2 and 3	June 2013
the ATMEA company’s ATMEA1 reactor – Phase 1 review	March 2013
Babcock & Wilcox mPower – Phase 1 review	January 2014

Program Activity: Compliance

[text version]

Financial resources
($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
36,412	37,427	38,828

Human resources
(full-time equivalents – FTEs)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
271	271	271

Program Activity Expected Results and Performance Indicators

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Licensees comply with the regulatory framework.	Compliance activity reports issued to licensees within timelines defined by external performance standards.	Per external performance standards. For complete details please see the External Performance Standards table in “Section IV: Other Items of Interest”.

Program activity description

The Compliance program is in place to ensure that CNSC licensees exhibit a high level of compliance with the CNSC’s regulatory framework. This program enables the CNSC to provide regulatory assurance to Canadians of the continuing compliance and safety performance of licensees.

This program activity’s funding is used for: ensuring licensees fully understand how to achieve compliance, promoting the development and maintenance of a sound safety culture and common safety values, verifying compliance through inspections and other assessments of licensee performance, and taking enforcement actions on observed non-compliance.

The following table aligns the Compliance planning highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Compliance: Core Regulatory Operations

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Continue compliance verifications and enforcement activities for nuclear facilities, uranium mines and mills, and users of nuclear substances and prescribed equipment in Canada.	Ongoing

Compliance: Commitments to ongoing improvements

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Introduce electronic submission of nuclear material accountancy information.	March 2013
Introduce electronic submission of annual compliance reports for Class II nuclear facilities and users of nuclear substances and prescribed equipment.	March 2013
Implement an Independent Environmental Monitoring Program.	March 2013
Enhanced mandatory reporting by Power Reactor Licensees through the implementation of RD-99.1, Reporting Requirements for Operating Nuclear Power Plants.	March 2013
Enhanced proactive disclosure by Power Reactor Licensees, Class I nuclear facilities, Uranium Mines and Mills and certain Class II Nuclear Facilities through the implementation of RD/GD-99.3, Requirements and Guidance for Public Information and Disclosure.	Ongoing
Conduct verifications against Fukushima Action Plan.	Ongoing

Program Activity: Internal Services

[text version]

Financial resources
($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
39,226	40,057	41,692

Human resources
(full-time equivalents – FTEs)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
210	210	210

Program Activity Expected Results and Performance Indicators

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Activities and resources administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations.

Program activity description

Internal services are activities and resources that apply across the organization to directly and indirectly support program delivery and to meet other corporate obligations of the CNSC, as an agency of government.

These activities are: management and oversight (including audits and evaluations), communications, legal services, human resources management, financial management, information management, information technology, real property and materiel acquisition, travel and other administrative services.

The following table aligns the Internal Services planning highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Internal Services: Core

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Implement renewed CNSC engagement and corporate communications strategies.	March 2013
Complete the Management Accountability Framework Assessment.	March 2013

Internal Services: Commitment to ongoing improvement

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Focus on management excellence by strengthening information to support decision making for:
efficiency in administration and overhead	Ongoing
cost recovery	Ongoing
operational and technical support management	Ongoing
Implement responses to the performance management framework audit and evaluation.	March 2013

Internal Services: Capacity for action

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Focus Human Resources activities on retention and training, specifically:
support learning and development for CNSC employees and leaders	Ongoing
support a collaborative union–management work environment	Ongoing
Focus Information Management and Technology capacity on delivering priorities identified in the three-year Information Management and Technology strategic plan, specifically the development of e-services solutions.	Ongoing
Continue development of the financial guarantees program for non Class I licensees.	Ongoing
Obtain industry standard certification for the CNSC Laboratory Phase II extension to the analytical laboratory.	March 2013

Internal Services: Communication

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Implement the Web accessibility directive.	July 2013
Improve accessibility of information about the CNSC via electronic media innovation.	Ongoing

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page