Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Act: Nuclear Safety and Control Act , R.S.C. 1997, c.9
Regulation: General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations, SOR/2000-202Radiation Protection Regulations, SOR/2000-203Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations, SOR/2000-204Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations, SOR/2000-205Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations, SOR/2000-206Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations, SOR/2000-207Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, SOR/2000-208Nuclear Security Regulations, SOR/2000-209Nuclear Non-Proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations, SOR/2000-210Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure, SOR/2000-211 - Atomic Energy Control Board Cost Recovery Fees Regulations, 1996, SOR/96-412, as amended, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission By-laws, SOR/2000-212.

To Whom Does This Apply?

In addition to nuclear power plants and nuclear research facilities, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates numerous other uses of nuclear material. Some examples include radioisotopes used in the treatment of cancer, the operation of uranium mines and refineries, and the use of radioactive sources for oil exploration and in instruments such as precipitation measurement devices.

Summary

The mission of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is to regulate 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.

On May 31, 2000, the former Atomic Energy Control Board became the CNSC. Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the CNSC's mandate involves four major areas:

• regulation of the development, production and use of nuclear energy in Canada;
• regulation of the production, possession and use of nuclear substances, prescribed equipment and prescribed information;
• implementation of measures respecting international control of the use of nuclear energy and substances, including measures respecting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; and
• dissemination of scientific, technical and regulatory information concerning the activities of the CNSC;
• undertake special projects.

The CNSC's regulatory system is designed to protect the health, safety and security of people and the environment resulting from the use of nuclear energy and materials.

This is accomplished through a licensing process that requires licensees to prove that their operations are safe. CNSC staff monitor and inspect licensed activities. At the basis of the regulatory system is the principle that no technology is failproof, so licensees must incorporate multiple layers of protection whenever radioactive materials are used.

The CNSC controls the import, export and transportation of nuclear materials and other prescribed substances, equipment and technology. Staff also play an important role in international activities related to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The CNSC also contributes to international agencies and, through cooperation agreements, assists other countries in improving their regulatory controls over nuclear materials and facilities.

• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Quebec Contact(s):
Eastern Regional Office
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Suite 470, 2 Place Laval
Laval, Quebec  H7N 5N6
Telephone: (450) 667-6360
Fax: (450) 668-9899

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National Contact(s):
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
4th floor, 280 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario  K1P 5S9
Telephone: (613) 995-5894 (outside Canada)
Fax: (613) 992-2915
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-5284 (from within Canada)
E-mail: info@cnsn-ccsn.gc.ca or media@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca