Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)

Act: Nuclear Safety and Control Act, R.S.C. 1997, c.9
Regulation: General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations, SOR/2000-202 Radiation Protection Regulations, SOR/2000-203 Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations, SOR/2000-204 Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations, SOR/2000-205 Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations, SOR/2000-206 Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations, SOR/2000-207 Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, SOR/2000-208 Nuclear Security Regulations, SOR/2000-209 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations, SOR/2000-210 Canadian 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?

Nuclear power plants and nuclear research facilities

Note: 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 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) operates and enforces regulations under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. Nuclear activities are carefully regulated to ensure their safe operation.

The Nuclear Safety and Control Act prohibits any person from preparing a site, constructing, operating, decommissioning or abandoning a nuclear facility without first obtaining a licence granted by the CNSC.

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.

The CNSC strives to fulfill this mission by having in place key regulatory components that each contribute to the overall success of ensuring the safe and secure use of nuclear energy in Canada.

These key regulatory components include:

• a clear and pragmatic regulatory framework;
• licensing of individuals and organizations that have the capacity to operate safely and to conform to safeguards and non-proliferation requirements;
• high levels of licensee compliance with the regulatory framework;
• CNSC cooperative and integrated undertakings in national/international forums;
• stakeholders' understanding of the regulatory programs.

Through the effective implementation of a complete regulatory regime, the CNSC works to ensure that:

• there is a low frequency of incidents, accidents or precursors involving nuclear energy;
• the international transfer of nuclear goods and technology are solely for peaceful purposes;
• any levels of radiation exposure to humans and the environment are very low;
• the regulated community is committed to sustain a strong safety culture.

By achieving these results, the CNSC ensures that Canada has safe and secure nuclear installations and processes solely for peaceful purposes and that Canadians can have confidence in the nuclear regulatory regime's effectiveness.

Moreover, the CNSC controls the import, export and transportation of nuclear materials and other prescribed substances, equipment and technology.

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

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.

Manitoba Contact(s):
See National Contact. 

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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