Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities in Canada

Abstract

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) protects the health, safety and security of Canadians as well as the environment, and respects Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It was established in 2000 under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), and was created to replace the former Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB), which was founded in 1946.

The CNSC operates and enforces regulations under the NSCA. Nuclear activities are carefully regulated to ensure their safe operation. The NSCA prohibits any person from preparing a site construction, operating, decommissioning or abandoning a nuclear facility without first obtaining a licence granted by the CNSC. Under the NSCA, specific requirements for decommissioning planning are set out in the following regulations:

• Uranium Mines and Mills;
• Class I Nuclear Facilities;
• Class II Nuclear Facilities.

This paper will discuss the CNSC and the decommissioning work in Canada. It will provide the CNSC's regulatory framework, licensing process, requirements for decommissioning plans, considerations for decommissioning and examples of decommissioning projects in Canada and some of the lessons learned.