Forward regulatory plan 2020–2022

This plan provides information on regulatory proposals that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) expects to bring forward over the next two years. It also identifies public consultation opportunities and a departmental contact point for each regulatory initiative.

Proposed Regulatory Initiatives

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians Web sites.

Regulatory Initiative: Regulations Amending the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations

Title or Working Title of the Regulatory Initiative

Regulations Amending the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations

Description of the Objective

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.

Pursuant to obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the CNSC implements Canada's bilateral agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency on nuclear safeguards verification. The CNSC has been ensuring conformity with the safeguards agreements since they came into force in 1972 and 2000 respectively.

The CNSC is exploring options to amend the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations to reflect best practices for the safeguarding of nuclear material, thereby ensuring continued effective reporting and monitoring of nuclear materials and activities in Canada.

Indication of Business Impacts

There may be business impacts. The “One-for-One” Rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Public Consultation Opportunities

The CNSC seeks feedback from stakeholders as part of the regulatory review.

The CNSC will take the feedback into account when developing the regulatory proposal for pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, scheduled for 2020, prior to finalizing the proposal for consideration by the CNSC’s Commission and the Governor in Council.

Departmental contact:

Lynn Forrest
Director, Regulatory Framework Division
lynn.forrest@canada.ca
(613) 995-2705

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians Web sites.

Regulatory Initiative: Regulations Amending the Nuclear Security Regulations

Title or Working Title of the Regulatory Initiative

Regulations Amending the Nuclear Security Regulations

Description of the Objective

The Nuclear Security Regulations defines security-related information requirements for licensing and operation of certain nuclear facilities, including high-security sites. The regulations ensure that Canada continues to fulfill its international obligations for the security of nuclear and radioactive materials, both in Canada and internationally.

A review of the Nuclear Security Regulations has commenced. The last major revision to the regulations was completed in 2006. Since then, security threats, operational experience and technological advancements have evolved and there is a need to keep up with updated international recommendations, their guidance and best practices.

Indication of Business Impacts

There may be business impacts. The “One-for-One” Rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Public Consultation Opportunities

To obtain early input into the review of the Nuclear Security Regulations, the CNSC organized workshops with stakeholders. The stakeholders who attended the workshops were those directly responsible for implementing security measures at nuclear facilities or responsible for the security of nuclear material. The stakeholder workshop report shares the feedback that was received at those workshops. Read the Stakeholder Workshop Report: Periodic Review of the Nuclear Security Regulations.

In keeping with the CNSC's commitment to stakeholder engagement, comments and suggestions on specific CNSC regulations or by-laws are welcome at any time. As part of ongoing efforts to enhance and clarify its regulatory framework, the CNSC will use these comments to inform future reviews of its regulatory tools.

The CNSC will take the feedback into account when developing the regulatory proposal for pre-publication in the Canada Gazette,
Part I, scheduled for 2021, prior to finalizing the proposal for consideration by the CNSC’s Commission and the Governor in Council.

Departmental contact:

Lynn Forrest
Director, Regulatory Framework Division
lynn.forrest@canada.ca
(613) 995-2705

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians Web sites.

Regulatory Initiative: Regulations Amending the Radiation Protection Regulations

Title or working title of the regulatory initiative:

Regulations Amending the Radiation Protection Regulations

Description of the objective:

The current Radiation Protection Regulations (RPR) are based upon the 1991 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP 60). Since that time, the ICRP has introduced new international standards and recommendations, which need to be incorporated into the Regulations to ensure they continue to meet international standards.

In April 2011, the CNSC established the CNSC Fukushima Task Force to evaluate the operational, technical and regulatory implications of the March 11, 2011, nuclear event in Japan in relation to Canadian nuclear power plants. The Task Force recommended that the Regulations be amended to be more consistent with international guidance and to describe the regulatory requirements needed to address radiological hazards during the phases of an emergency in greater detail.

Indication of business impacts:

There may be business impacts. The "One-for-One" Rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Public consultation opportunities:

A discussion paper DIS-13-01 was published in August 2013 to seek feedback from licensees, the Canadian public and other stakeholders on the CNSC's regulatory proposals to amend these Regulations. The paper highlights a number of desirable changes to them, including harmonizing them with new international requirements, where appropriate, clarifying requirements and addressing gaps that were identified post Fukushima, as well as through lessons learned over time. The What We Heard Report summarizes the comments received during consultation.

The regulatory proposal was pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on June 15, 2019. The CNSC will take all comments into account prior to finalizing the proposal for consideration by the CNSC's Commission and the Governor in Council.

Departmental contact:

Lynn Forrest
Director, Regulatory Framework Division
lynn.forrest@canada.ca
(613) 995-2705

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians Web sites.

Regulatory Initiative: Regulations Amending the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations

Title or working title of the regulatory initiative:

Regulations Amending the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations

Description of the objective:

The Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations (NNIECR) provide for the regulatory control of the imports or exports of controlled nuclear and nuclear-related dual use substances, equipment and technology. Under the NNIECR, Canadian importers and exporters must obtain and comply with licences controlling the international transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related dual-use items. The Schedule of the NNIECR, which identifies items subject to control, is based upon control lists established by the Participating Governments of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), including Canada. The control lists are published in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) information circulars, and incorporated into domestic nuclear non-proliferation policy and regulations in NSG countries. In Canada, these control lists are incorporated in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's NNIECR, and into the Export Control List administered by Global Affairs Canada.

In 2013, the NSG completed a comprehensive review of its export control lists and agreed on changes to the control entries for certain nuclear and nuclear-related substances, equipment and technology (information) that are traded internationally.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is proposing amendments to the NNIECR to reflect changes to the NSG lists, thereby ensuring continued effective regulation of Canadian nuclear exporting and importing industry, and to address some technical and administrative issues relating to the NNIECR.

Indication of business impacts:

There may be business impacts. The "One-for-One" rule and/or the small business lens may apply.

Public consultation opportunities:

Discussion paper DIS-15-01 was published in March 2015 to seek feedback from licensees, the Canadian public and other stakeholders on the CNSC’s regulatory proposal to amend these regulations. The paper highlights several proposed changes, including increased clarity for many entries, clarification of reporting requirements for nuclear-grade graphite and a more practical approach to exporting prescribed information through intangible means (e.g., downloads, email). The What We Heard Report summarizes the comments received during consultation.

The CNSC will take the feedback into account when developing the regulatory proposal for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, scheduled for 2020, before finalizing the proposal for consideration by the Commission and the Governor in Council.

Departmental contact:

Lynn Forrest
Director, Regulatory Framework Division
lynn.forrest@canada.ca
(613) 995-2705

For more information

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and the Government of Canada’s Open Government website under the "Find a Consultation" option.

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