Protecting People

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Nuclear Safety and Security in Canada

Nuclear Security Update

Updated: October 2005

The events of September 11, 2001 changed forever our world view of nuclear security and the protection of nuclear facilities against terrorism. But both before and after those tragic events, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has been a vigilant and responsive regulator, with a series of initiatives based on improved regulations and standards, emergency preparedness training, and extensive cooperation with police and security organizations at the national and international levels. Here are some of the major initiatives and accomplishments of the CNSC.

Protecting Canadians - Security Measures at Nuclear Facilities in Canada

The CNSC requires that all licensees comply with new security initiatives as a condition of their licence. The licensees appreciate the need for enhanced security at nuclear facilities and have cooperated fully on security initiatives.

• The CNSC requires the cooperation of all licensees when it comes to security at nuclear facilities in Canada.
   
• Canada has a clear regulatory framework in place and is developing rigorous standards for physical protection of facilities and materials. Assurance is obtained by verification of compliance and assessment of emergency preparedness and response measures.
   
• The CNSC, as the regulator of the nuclear industry in Canada, is committed to ensuring the licensees implement safety and security measures in accordance with Canadian and international standards.

Nuclear Facilities Implement New Security Initiatives

The CNSC licenses over 4,000 operations in Canada, from the use of nuclear power plants and research reactors to equipment used to locate leaks in pipelines. The nature of the work, the radioactive material handled, and the level of risk vary greatly from one type of facility to another. The CNSC has therefore brought in measures tailored to different security needs.

• The following security measures have been implemented at major nuclear facilities such as nuclear power reactors and high-level radioactive waste management sites in Canada:
   
  • Immediate, on-site armed response available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
     
  • Enhanced security screening of employees and contractors involving background, police and security checks.
     
  • Protection against forced vehicle penetration of the Protected Area with the addition of vehicle barriers.
     
  • Improved physical identification checks of personnel utilizing card access and palm scanners.
     
  • Searching of personnel and vehicles utilizing explosives detectors, X-ray screening and metal detection equipment.
     
• Other nuclear facilities, such as non-power reactors (used for research or to produce medical isotopes) have also implemented the majority of these measures, in accordance with a graded, risk-based strategy.

CNSC Proposes Amendments to Nuclear Security Regulations

New, modern security regulations must be based on modern realities.

• The security of nuclear facilities has always been an important aspect of the CNSC’s regulation of nuclear energy and materials in Canada.
   
• Even before the events of Sept 11, 2001, the CNSC was focused on enhancing nuclear security in Canada.
   
  • In line with international standards including those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the CNSC initiated a design basis threat analysis of major nuclear facilities, considering a new risk-based approach to security in 1999.
     
  • In 2000 and 2003, the CNSC identified vital areas at nuclear facilities to determine the areas in need of protection against intruders intent on causing damage.
     
  • Because the CNSC had assessed the viability of the IAEA security guidelines for Canada prior to Sept 11th, 2001, it was able to act immediately, implementing heightened security measures immediately following the terrorist attacks on the United States.
     
• Immediately following the events of Sept 11, 2001, Orders were issued to implement interim security measures at major nuclear facilities in Canada, and these remain in place today.
   
• Amendments to the Nuclear Security Regulations were drafted to make these interim security measures permanent and to bring Canada in line with international norms.
   
• The CNSC consulted with Canadians in October of 2003 on the proposed amendments to the Nuclear Security Regulations through the Canada Gazette process. The public comments resulted in further changes to the proposed amendments. As a result of these changes the proposed amendments were  prepublished in June 2005 for an additional comment period. The CNSC anticipates that the amended Nuclear Security Regulations will come into effect in early 2006.

The CNSC and Emergency Preparedness

The hands-on experience gained from practical exercises and cooperation with partners can ensure the ability to face situations with maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

• The CNSC is committed to a high level of emergency preparedness.
  
  
• The CNSC recently conducted workshops with communities, other government departments, and licensees from across the country. Recent exercises tested our ability to deal with scenarios involving incidents at the Point Lepreau and Pickering nuclear generating stations.
   
• The CNSC is also involved in exercises with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) as a contributor in radiological response scenarios. These scenarios involve nuclear, biological, and/or chemical security threats.
   
• The CNSC will continue to conduct exercises on a regular basis with staff and licensees to enhance its ability to react effectively to safety and security situations.

CNSC Partners with RCMP, CSIS and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Partnerships ensure that each organization contributes effectively to nuclear security.

• In order to achieve a coordinated, comprehensive approach to nuclear security in Canada, the CNSC has recently partnered with other federal organizations. These organizations include: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS), Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC).
   
• The CNSC, along with our partner organizations, regularly participates in emergency preparedness exercises in order to ensure the most effective, integrated response in an emergency involving nuclear security.

CNSC’s New Corporate Security Group

• The greater emphasis placed on security in recent years led the CNSC to create its own security group, which functions to protect nuclear security-related information and CNSC facilities and personnel across the country.
   
• An intensified awareness of security issues among staff and licensees creates an atmosphere of vigilance essential to effective security on the part of Canada’s nuclear regulator.

Canada - A Leader in International Nuclear Security

• Canada is now the 2nd largest financial contributor to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund, demonstrating Canadian leadership and commitment to nuclear safety and security worldwide. Projects the CNSC has recently been involved with internationally include:
   
  • International nuclear security guidelines
     
  • Guidelines for Security in the Transportation of Radioactive Material
     
    • Changes to international guidelines led to the revision of Canadian regulations on the transportation of nuclear materials, which have been published in the Canada Gazette.
       
  • Amendments to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material
     
  • Bilateral consultations with major partners on the international scene
     
• As part of our commitment to nuclear security at home and abroad, the CNSC regularly attends international conferences on nuclear security. For example, the CNSC attended and made presentations at the International Conference on Security of Radioactive Sources in Vienna in March, 2003 and the International Conference on the Safety of Transport of Radioactive Material in Vienna in July, 2003.
   
• The CNSC also participated in the development of the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources, adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors in September, 2003.

Nuclear Security in Canada The Way Ahead

One of the most important lessons from September 11, 2001 is that security needs are constantly changing in response to new technology and the world situation. Nuclear security must always be a work in progress.

• The CNSC will continue to monitor the enhanced security measures implemented at nuclear facilities.
   
• The CNSC will continue to conduct security reviews of nuclear energy and materials in Canada, including radioactive sources (used in radiation treatment, sterilization and radiography) and the transportation of radioactive materials.
   
• The CNSC will continue to participate in Emergency Preparedness Exercises, both with our partner government organizations and with our licensees to improve our ability to respond effectively and efficiently in a time of crisis.
   
• The Commission will continue to conduct licensing hearings to ensure continued safety, security and quality of work by licensees.
   
• The CNSC will continue to work with the IAEA on security-related projects:
   
  • Participation in the development of international guidelines on security, including transportation security and radioactive material security as well as implementing programs in accordance with IAEA guidance such as the National Source Registry.
     
  • Participation in IAEA International Physical Protection Advisory Service missions to other Member States.
     
• The CNSC is also engaged with its international partners in reviewing the design of high-risk sources and the equipment in which these sources are incorporated in order to make it more difficult to tamper with the sources and equipment.
   
• The CNSC is dedicated to ensuring that non-proliferation measures and other safeguards in Canada are in place and up-to-date.