ARCHIVED - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Program Sub-Activity:

Regulatory Framework

Expected Result:

A clear and pragmatic regulatory framework

Performance Indicators:

• Satisfaction levels of licensees across key performance areas
• Number of legal challenges to the regulatory framework

Description:

Development of a modern, evergreen, Canadian regulatory regime that considers all available science, the CNSC’s external environment, operating experience and input of Canadian operators, other stakeholders and the international community. This involves developing new and amending existing CNSC regulations; and creating regulatory documents that set out the CNSC’s regulatory criteria and expectations of staff.

Plans/Initiatives

Timeline

Obtain Commission approval for a 3-year plan of integrated regulatory framework initiatives

Fall 2008

Complete the amendments to the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations, and develop the supporting regulatory documents.

2008-2009

Complete the amendments to the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations, and develop the supporting regulatory documents.

2008-2009

Establish new or amended bilateral Administrative Agreements with regulatory counterparts to implement bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (South Africa, Jordan, Kasakhstan, Euratom, USA, Korea).

2008-2009

Complete the amendments to the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations (Radiation Safety Officer) to provide for the certification and decertification of Radiation Safety Officers, and develop the supporting regulatory documents.

2008-2010

Amend the Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations, to set out requirements for new nuclear power plants and update the requirements for other major facilities, and develop the supporting regulatory documents.

2008-2010

Amend the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission By-laws.

2008-2010

Amend the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations to comply with the most recent version of IAEA standards in this area, and develop the supporting regulatory documents.

2010-2012

Develop new Nuclear Safeguards Regulations, based on the IAEA-Canada Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol, and develop the supporting regulatory documents.

2010-2012

Resources:
($ thousands)
Full-Time Equivalents

2008-2009
$11,583
60

2009-2010
$11,954
60

2010-2011
$11,642
60

Program Sub-Activity:

Licensing and Certification

Expected Result:

Individuals and organizations that operate safely and conform to safeguards and non-proliferation requirements

Performance Indicators:

• Number of licences issued as per service standards

Description:

Issuance of licences or certifying persons to conduct nuclear-related activities in Canada. In order to issue a licence or a certificate, the CNSC must obtain evidence of licensee ability to operate safely and conform to safeguards and non-proliferation obligations.

Plans/Initiatives

Timeline

Implement processes for licensing new nuclear facilities including new nuclear power plants, new uranium mines and new waste management facilities.

2008-2010

Develop and implement the management response to the lessons-learned from the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor shutdown in November 2007.

2008-2009

Complete documentation of the CNSC’s Environmental Assessment and oversight programs, and incorporate identified program improvements.

2008-2009

Develop Environmental Assessment training modules and initiate training for CNSC staff.

2008-2009

Prepare review plans and review guides for environmental impact statements and new reactor licence applications.

2008-2010

Conduct environmental assessments to respond to licence applications for new mines, new reactor construction (see Figure 1), refineries, waste repositories and Chalk River Laboratories legacy projects.

Ongoing

Conduct assessments of licence applications for new reactor site preparation and construction.

Ongoing

Implement further the provisions of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, including initiatives to strengthen export/import licensing and control of risk significant sources.

Ongoing

Evaluate the tribunal process and implement recommendations.

Ongoing

Resources:
($ thousands)
Full-Time Equivalents

2008-2009
$34,458
286

2009-2010
$42,513
325

2010-2011
$40,700
319

Figure 1: Planned Environmental Assessments (EA) to Respond to Licence Applications

• Deep Geologic Repository
• Bruce Power new build
• Darlington new build
• Darlington refurbishment
• Alberta New Build Review
• New Brunswick new build
• Pickering A (Safe Storage)
• Pickering B refurbishment
• Aurora Mine
• Kiggivik Mine
• Shea Creek Mine
• Millennium Mine
• McClean Lake (Caribou)
• Midwest Mine
• McArthur River
• Rabbit Lake
• Pele Mountain
• Gunnar
• Lorado
• GE-Hitachi Fuel Low Enriched Uranium
• Deloro Waste Management Facility
• Port Granby
• Saskatchewan Research Council – Slowpoke Decommissioning
• Atomic Energy Canada Limited (Chalk River)
  • Bulk Material Landfill (existing)
  • New Dry Storage (existing)
  • Building 250 Relocation (existing)
  • 3 new projects to begin during 2008-2009

Program Sub-Activity:

Compliance

Expected Result:

A high level of compliance with the regulatory framework

Performance Indicators:

• Degree/level of reconciliation between Canada and other countries of nuclear inventories subject to bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements
• Compliance inspections closed as per standard
• Adherence with Sealed Source Tracking requirements
• Nuclear material ‘ledger’ reconciliations between the CNSC and licensees

Description:

Effective oversight of compliance with regulatory requirements, which is critical to assuring Parliament and the Canadian public that nuclear energy and materials are being used safely and securely and in a manner that respects Canada’s international commitments concerning their peaceful use.

Plans/Initiatives

Timeline

Execute baseline compliance program requirements across the four regulatory programs (power reactors; nuclear cycle, waste, research and processing facilities; nuclear substances, transport, dosimetry, Class II nuclear facilities; and import/export controls).

Ongoing

Develop strategies to promote/enforce compliance where licensee deficiencies have been identified and respond to risk significant licensee reports and findings.

Ongoing

Develop a program to assess licensee management of ageing nuclear facilities.

Ongoing

Apply the requirements of multilateral conventions and arrangements.

Ongoing

Implement the provisions and requirements of bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements and associated administration arrangements.

Ongoing

Implement the requirements of the Canada-IAEA Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol.

Ongoing

Resources:
($ thousands)
Full-Time Equivalents

2008-2009
$33,355
310

2009-2010
$38,833
334

2010-2011
$42,221
359

Program Sub-Activity:

Cooperative Undertakings

Expected Result:

CNSC cooperates and integrates its activities in national/international nuclear fora.

Performance Indicators:

• Number of international and domestic initiatives for strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime that are supported by CNSC technical and policy expertise

Description:

Involvement with domestic and international nuclear organizations, promoting Canadian interests, implementing requirements of international obligations and commitments, and evaluating international recommendations, standards and guides for adoption in the CNSC’s regulatory framework.

Plans/Initiatives

Timeline

Negotiate new agreements with other federal government departments and appropriate provinces.

By 2009: New agreements in place with Health Canada, Transport Canada, Public Safety Canada, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick

Establish and review cooperative arrangements with foreign nuclear regulators, and federal and provincial organizations, departments and agencies on an ongoing basis.

Ongoing

Conduct annual reviews of cooperative arrangements with foreign regulatory counterparts and international organizations.

Annual

Collaborate with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada on nuclear non-proliferation issues, including establishment of new or amended bilateral NCAs.

Ongoing

Determine, evaluate, track and report the CNSC’s participation in international activities on nuclear matters.

Ongoing

Establish bilateral arrangements with regulatory counterparts to efficiently implement radioactive source import/export controls, pursuant to the International Atomic Energy Agency Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources

2008-2009: Japan, United Kingdom, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, India

Provide technical support and other resources necessary to the IAEA’s safeguards program.

Ongoing

Resources:
($ thousands)
Full-Time Equivalents

2008-2009
$16,655
98

2009-2010
$17,261
98

2010-2011
$16,853
98

Program Sub-Activity:

Stakeholder Relations

Expected Result:

Increased stakeholder understanding of the regulatory program

Performance Indicators:

• Timeliness of responses to public enquires
• Increased stakeholder understanding of CNSC’s regulatory mandate
• Increased stakeholder confidence in CNSC’s ability to regulate

Description:

Regular meetings with industry groups and non-government organizations on matters related to the administration of the regulatory regime; outreach to communities hosting nuclear facilities; presentations and speeches at conferences and other fora; media relations; and provision of information to the public on regulatory matters.

Plans/Initiatives

Timeline

Develop and implement stakeholder communication strategy for CNSC’s regulatory framework.

2008-2011

Develop and implement outreach/communications strategies to reach diverse stakeholders, including media and select communities most affected by nuclear facilities, concerning the licensing and compliance of: new and refurbished nuclear power reactors on existing and new sites; new uranium fuel processing facilities; new uranium mines and mills in Canada; and new nuclear medicine facilities, substances and devices. (Strategies would need to be based on applications received for new nuclear activity).

2008-2011

Track and communicate key outcomes of CNSC’s compliance oversight program to stakeholders, including the media and communities most affected by compliance assessments, to demonstrate transparency and application of safety measures.

2008-2011

Identify and profile CNSC’s key national and international participation and co-operative undertakings/activities to stakeholders including media.

2008-2011

Consult with Aboriginal communities (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) regarding the potential impacts of nuclear projects, including nuclear power plants, uranium mines and mills and nuclear waste management facilities, on their Aboriginal rights or title (the duty to consult can be triggered by a variety of CNSC regulatory matters).

2008-2011

Resources:
($ thousands)
Full-Time Equivalents

2008-2009
$7,376
63

2009-2010
$7,765
63

2010-2011
$7,650
63