Frequently Asked Questions
“Licensing Process for New Nuclear Power Plants in Canada”
Revised March 17, 2006
- What is the role of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) in the construction of new nuclear power
plants?
- What is the purpose of your information document “Licensing Process for
New Nuclear Power Plants in Canada” and why are you releasing it now?
- Was this document prepared in response to the Ontario Power Authority’s
Supply Mix Advice Report?
- Who determines if we need new electricity supply?
- Is an environmental assessment (EA) a prerequisite for the licensing of a new
nuclear power plant?
- Who decides where the new nuclear power plants will be built?
- If the CNSC receives an application to build a new nuclear power plant,
what opportunities will the public have to make their views known?
- How long will the licensing process take?
- What is meant by the term “technology-neutral”?
- Why are you adopting international standards?
- How is the licensing process different now than it was the last time
nuclear power plants were built in Canada?
- How are existing facilities being brought up to date?
1. What is the role of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
(CNSC) in the construction of new
nuclear power plants?
The CNSC is the regulator of nuclear facilities in Canada. This includes
power plants and medical facilities, as well as a variety of other uses of
nuclear technology.
The mission of the CNSC is three-fold: to protect the health, safety and
security of our only client - the people of Canada - to protect the environment,
and to ensure that Canada’s commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy
are respected.
2. What is the purpose of your information document
“Licensing Process for New Nuclear Power Plants in Canada” and why are you
releasing it now?
This document provides a very high level description of the existing
licensing process for new nuclear power plants in Canada. The intent of the
document is to ensure that stakeholders have a well-informed understanding of
the licensing process and the steps an applicant must follow.
The Canadian regulator has not licensed a new nuclear power plant in over 25
years. The technology and the regulatory standards have all changed in the
intervening decades. Additionally, we have new legislation to work with, the
Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA),
which also contributes to the different environment now facing the industry. The
information document sets out the current requirements with respect to the
licensing process.
3. Was this document prepared in response to the Ontario
Power Authority’s Supply Mix Advice Report?
No. There is no connection to that document.
The CNSC has never assessed a proposal for a new nuclear power plant under the NSCA.
It is the expectation of all stakeholders and governments that the regulatory
functions will be conducted as effectively and efficiently as possible should
there be an application to build a new nuclear power plant.
As a result, we have prepared this document to ensure stakeholders have a
well-informed understanding of the licensing process.
4. Who determines if we need new electricity supply?
The decision to increase supply is made by each province through
consultations between the public, utilities, and other stakeholders. The CNSC is
not involved in this dynamic.
5. Is an environmental assessment (EA) a prerequisite for the
licensing of a new nuclear power plant?
Yes. Today, the completion of an environmental assessment is required under
the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act prior to the granting of any licence
to build a new nuclear power plant. The EA must have a positive outcome before
siting and construction licences can be granted and work started on a new
nuclear power plant.
6. Who decides where the new nuclear power plants will be
built?
These issues will be addressed by provincial governments through
consultations between the public, utilities, and other stakeholders. Ultimately,
the decision is a business one that is then considered as part of the
environmental assessment and subsequent licensing process. The CNSC is not
involved in this dynamic except to ensure the EA is complete before proceeding
with any licensing process.
7. If the CNSC receives an application to build a new
nuclear power plant, what opportunities will the public have to make their views
known?
If there is an application to build a new power plant, stakeholders will have
ample opportunity to be heard, first via the environmental assessment process
and then as part of the CNSC’s public hearings on the applications for licences.
8. How long will the licensing process take?
The process to license a new nuclear power plant is triggered by the receipt
of a licence application. Separate licences must be granted for site
preparation, construction and operation. These licences would be issued in
sequence. The CNSC expects that it would take approximately 10 years from the
receipt of an application to the commercial production of electricity. This
estimate includes the time needed for the environmental assessment process to be
conducted under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the CNSC's
licensing review and hearing processes under the Nuclear Safety and Control
Act, and the proponent’s efforts with respect to the site preparation,
construction and commissioning of a new nuclear power plant.
The timeline estimate is highly dependent on the completeness of the
application submitted with respect to each licensing phase identified above and
whether there are outstanding safety issues to be resolved.
The CNSC will do everything within its power to ensure the efficiency of the
licensing process.
9. What is meant by the term “technology-neutral”?
The CNSC does not limit through regulation the choice of technology that is
available to companies who may wish to build and operate new nuclear power
plants in Canada. The regulatory standards set out high-level safety
requirements that any proposal for a new nuclear power plant must meet.
The CNSC's job is to set up a regulatory framework that defines the standards
necessary to protect Canadians' health, safety, security and environment from
unreasonable risk. To accomplish its mission, the CNSC draws upon
internationally-accepted safety standards and good practices based on experience
and advances in knowledge gained in Canada and worldwide.
10. Why are you adopting international standards?
Canadians expect any new nuclear power plants will be built according to the
highest standards in the world. As a result, the CNSC is adopting international
standards that draw on the experiences of other nuclear regulators and are built
on best practices the world over.
It’s important to note that Canada has and continues to contribute
significantly to the development of such international standards.
11. How is the licensing process different now than it
was the last time nuclear power plants were built in Canada?
There are various changes now in the current regulatory environment. This
includes:
- New legislation in the form of the NSCA and its regulations;
- New environmental assessment process that must be conducted
before any licensing decision is made by the CNSC; and
- New international standards accepted.
12. How are existing facilities being brought up to date?
Licensees are expected to take new knowledge and operating experience into
account in their continuous safety improvement programs.
Today’s standards are based on advances in safety and on the experiences of
the international regulatory community. We’re tailoring global best practices to
Canadian needs. Our regulatory oversight of existing nuclear power plants
results in continuous safety improvements.
Canadians can be assured that existing nuclear power plants will continue to
meet high standards for health, safety, security and environmental protection.
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