Commission renews Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ waste nuclear substance licence for its Port Granby Project for a 1-year period 

December 22, 2021 – Ottawa

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today that it has renewed the waste nuclear substance licence held by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) for its Port Granby Project in the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario. This decision follows a public hearing in writing. The renewed licence authorizes CNL to continue to possess, package, transport, transfer, manage and store nuclear substances associated with the Port Granby Project.

In making its decision, the Commission considered written submissions from CNL, CNSC staff, and 5 intervenors. The CNSC also made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program, and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders. Three requesters received participant funding to assist with their interventions.

After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that CNL is qualified to carry out the waste management activities that the renewed licence will authorize. It also concluded that CNL will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, and the health and safety of persons.

The record of decision is available on request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decision will also be posted in both official languages at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. All submissions are available on the CNSC website.

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. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.

Timeline

• CNL applied for a 1-year licence renewal in April 2021.
• In April 2021, the CNSC made funding available through the Participant Funding Program to support Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders in presenting their views to the Commission.
• A panel of the Commission held a hearing in writing in fall 2021 (hearing submissions are available online or on request).  
• The renewed licence is valid until December 31, 2022.