Nuclear Safety in Canada

Nuclear safety is everyone's business. Every day, millions of Canadians use nuclear energy, though we may not always be aware of how it contributes to our lives.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Created in 1946 as the Atomic Energy Control Board, the name of the agency changed in 2000 with the enactment of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA). Its vision is to be one of the best nuclear regulators in the world by being effective, efficient, transparent and an employer of choice.

Scientists began to conduct research and development into the physics of nuclear energy in 1895. Nuclear fission was first demonstrated in 1938, and after 1945, scientists focused their attention to using nuclear energy for its beneficial uses, such as the generation of electricity and the production of radioisotopes for use in agriculture, industry and medicine.

Nuclear energy's enormous potential has been harnessed for a variety of activities - to heat and light our homes, to perform valuable research at universities, to diagnose and treat illnesses, to preserve food and for use in scientific instruments. However, nuclear energy must be regulated and used safely in order to avoid causing harm to both citizens and the environment. Since 1946, the CNSC has worked to ensure Canada's nuclear exports are used for their intended peaceful purposes and has fulfilled Canada's international obligations not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons. It has also been ensuring that the production of nuclear energy does not pose an unreasonable risk to the public and the environment. Canadians can be confident that with over 55 years of experience, the CNSC continues to work hard to maintain Canada's reputation as a world leader in nuclear safety.