Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 2006–2007 Annual Report of the Commission Tribunal The Commission Members Linda J. Keen Christopher R. Barnes James A. Dosman Alan R. Graham President, Canadian Nuclear Professor, School of Earth Director, Institute of Rexton, New Brunswick Safety Commission and Ocean Sciences and Agricultural Rural and Ottawa, Ontario Project Director for Project Environmental Health, Mr. Graham was Neptune Canada at the University of Saskatchewan, appointed a Commission Ms. Keen was appointed a University of Victoria, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan member on January 1, 1999. full-time Commission Victoria, British Columbia member effective Dr. Dosman was appointed November 1, 2000, and Dr. Barnes was appointed a Commission member on assumed her duties as a Commission member on May 30, 2002. President and Chief January 23, 1996. Executive Officer of the CNSC on January 1, 2001. André Harvey J. Moyra J. McDill Jean-Guy Paquet Québec, Québec Professor, Department of Chairman, Board of the Mechanical and Aerospace National Optics Institute, Mr. Harvey was appointed Engineering, Carleton Québec, Québec a Commission memeber University, on June 2, 2006. Ottawa, Ontario Dr. Paquet was appointed a Commission member Dr. McDill was appointed on June 2, 2006. a Commission member on May 30, 2002. Message from the President The mission of the Canadian Nuclear Safety The Canadian nuclear industry is experiencing Commission (CNSC) is to regulate the use of substantial growth in all areas, be these power gen­ nuclear energy and materials to protect health, eration, uranium mining and milling, waste man­ safety, security and the environment, and to agement or industrial and medical applications. respect Canada’s international commitments on Industry is pursuing the refurbishment of power the peaceful use of nuclear energy. As President of reactors, and the Commission also received appli­ the CNSC, I am pleased to report on the cations for preparing sites for new power reactors Tribunal’s accomplishments for the year 2006–07. during the past year. This industry growth translates to an increased workload for the The CNSC has regulatory oversight of more than Commission, which saw a particularly busy year in 2,500 nuclear operations and applications across 2006–07. Last year, it received close to 50 applica­ Canada, from nuclear power plants and uranium tions that ranged from administrative requests to mines to radioisotope sources used to treat cancer. complex applications, such as those for new reac­ Functioning as an independent federal quasi-judicial tor builds and a deep geological repository for low- administrative tribunal and court of record, the and medium-level waste. To handle increased Commission sets regulatory policy directions demand and workload in the most effective and under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act on matters efficient manner, the Commission has implement­ relating to health, safety, security and the protection ed a streamlined process whereby it uses panels to of the environment and makes legally binding regu­ hold the majority of licensing hearings. lations. It also renders licensing decisions for major nuclear facilities such as power reactors, uranium The Commission is acutely aware of the responsi­ mines and mills, waste facilities, and research and bilities bestowed upon it to act as Canada’s nuclear production facilities. The Commission delegates watchdog in a fair and transparent manner. The responsibility for decisions on other licences, such Canadian public can be confident that the as those for nuclear substances. Commission remains committed to ensuring the safe and secure use and operation of nuclear facilities. The CNSC public hearing process remains the As the nuclear industry expands, the CNSC assures most visible activity of the Commission and is a Canadians that it will continue to respect its mandate valued and important part of the licensing process. of protecting the health, safety and security of its Canada is seen as having one of the most open only client — the people of Canada — and of pro­ and transparent nuclear regulatory processes in the tecting the environment and respecting Canada’s world. The Commission encourages people to par­ commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. ticipate in public hearings for major nuclear facili­ ties, to ensure Canada’s nuclear regime reflects the diverse needs and concerns of Canadians. It makes it a priority to listen and communicate with all Sincerely, stakeholders to ensure it understands and consid­ ers their perspectives when making decisions. In support of this commitment, the Commission held numerous public hearings in affected Canadian communities over the past year, listen­ ing to more than 600 interventions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the intervenors Linda J. Keen, M.Sc. for their time and effort in participating at hear­ ings and for making their voices heard. 2006–2007 Commission Tribunal 1 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Annual Report of the Commission Tribunal 2006–2007 The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission1 The Commission sets regulatory policy direction regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to on the protection of health, safety, security and the protect health, safety, security and the environment environment in respect of the Canadian nuclear and to respect Canada’s international commitments industry. It also makes legally binding regulations on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Functioning as and independent licensing decisions for major an independent federal quasi-judicial administrative nuclear facilities, taking into account the views, tribunal and court of record, the Commission con­ concerns and opinions of interested parties and sists of up to seven members appointed by the intervenors. Governor in Council, who hold office during good behaviour. The President is a full-time To promote openness and transparency, the Commission member and other members serve on Commission conducts business to the greatest a part-time basis. Commission members are extent possible in public hearings and meetings. It appointed based on their credentials and are not streamlines processes with the objective of carrying linked to the nuclear industry. They are independ­ out its activities in a fair, informal and expeditious ent of all influences, be they political, governmen­ manner. Where feasible, it holds hearings in affect­ tal, special interest groups or the private sector. ed communities and uses telecommunication and Commission members are also independent of other technologies to increase access to proceed­ each other and from CNSC staff. ings and relevant documentation. With respect to licensing matters, the Commission considers The Commission acts as a tribunal, making inde­ applicant proposals, CNSC staff recommenda­ pendent decisions on the licensing of nuclear- tions and the views of stakeholders before making related activities in Canada. Its main functions are decisions. The Commission has delegated its established in the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, authority to CNSC staff to make licensing deci­ the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of sions for some licensees, such as those for nuclear Procedure and the Canadian Nuclear Safety materials. Commission By-laws. The Commission also has powers and responsibilities under the Canadian The Commission is supported by the Secretariat of Environmental Assessment Act. By directing and the Commission. The Secretariat manages the implementing a thorough, independent and rigor­ business of the Commission and provides commu­ ous licensing and certification process, the nications, technical and administrative support to Commission plays a key role in ensuring individu­ the President and other Commission members. It als and organizations wishing to use nuclear ener­ is also the official registrar in relation to gy and materials in Canada operate safely and con­ Commission documentation. form to safeguards and nuclear non-proliferation requirements. 1 The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission staff and organization in general is referred to as the CNSC. The tribunal component is called the Commission, and CNSC staff denotes the staff component. 2 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Regulatory Framework Commission is expanding its role in regulatory policymaking, a Regulatory Policy Committee The Commission is committed to an effective reg­ chaired by the Secretary of the Commission has ulatory regime based on modern legislation and been established with the CNSC staff. This com­ clear, modern, risk-informed regulatory approach­ mittee aims to provide strategic-level direction and es. The regulatory framework must effectively to coordinate the identification, development and address nuclear-related issues with respect to implementation of a revised CNSC regulatory pol­ health, safety, security and the environment. icy framework. Throughout 2006–07, the com­ mittee examined policies and standards with a As the Commission has evolved, its priorities have view to modernizing and strengthening the regula­ expanded to ensure an evergreen approach to tory framework and to providing consistency to Canada’s nuclear regulatory framework. In view of the regulatory process, from concept to the this greater emphasis on the regulatory framework, approval process for the Commission and broader the Commission concentrated more resources in consultation with stakeholders. this area during 2006–07, including the following: • Nuclear Security Regulations Licensing