Environmental assessment start date: July 3, 2003
Type: Screening
FEAI reference number: 38418
Proponent: MDS Nordion
Location: Kanata, Ontario

Latest Update

• June 24, 2004 - Environmental Assessment Decision by a Designated Officer - Having considered the screening report and comments filed from the public, the Designated Officer accepted that the project, taking into account the mitigation measures, will not cause significant adverse environmental effects and that public concerns do not warrant a reference to a mediator or review panel. The Designated Officer then rendered his decision in accordance with section 20(1)(a) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and directed CNSC staff to proceed with the licensing process related to the project.
• May 17, 2004 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Environmental Assessment Screening Report - Comment period closed
• April 16, 2004 - Request for Public Comment - Screening Report -  MDS Nordion Waste Diversion Program
• September 25, 2003 - project description (see below)

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received notice from MDS Nordion, seeking an amendment to an existing licence to authorize the segregation of waste from its nuclear processing facility, and the disposal of non-hazardous radioactive waste together with conventional waste, at its processing facility in Kanata, Ontario. The existing facility is licensed with a Nuclear Substance Processing Facility Operating Licence under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. An environmental assessment was completed for the Kanata Facility in May, 2000.

The proposed project would separate non-hazardous radioactive waste from the waste produced in the area where nuclear substances are processed, and dispose of these wastes with conventional waste. The criteria for waste to be included in the non-hazardous waste stream would be based on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards for unconditional clearance levels. These are levels below which radioactive waste are exempted from regulatory control.

Before the Commission makes its decision on MDS Nordion’s proposal to segregate radioactive waste and to divert the non-hazardous waste, an environmental assessment must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an environmental assessment is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and to determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Further Information

For questions or information directly related to the environmental assessment of the proposed waste diversion proposal, please contact:

Mike Rinker
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Processing Facilities and Technical Support Division
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P. O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9

Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax: (613) 995-5086
E-mail: ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its environmental assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request from:

A. Erdman
Licensing Project Officer
Processing Facilities and Technical Support Division
Directorate of Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation
280 Slater Street
P.O. Box 1046
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9
Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax: (613) 995-5086
E-mail: ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

The 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.