Commission renews McMaster University’s licence for the McMaster Nuclear Reactor

June 12, 2024 – Ottawa

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to renew McMaster University’s licence for its McMaster Nuclear Reactor for a 20-year period. The McMaster Nuclear Reactor is located at the McMaster University campus in Hamilton, Ontario, and on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe Nations.

In making its decision, the Commission considered written submissions from McMaster University, CNSC staff and 17 intervenors. After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that McMaster University remains qualified to carry on the activities that the renewed licence will authorize.

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

• In April 2023, McMaster University submitted an application to renew its operating licence for a period of 20 years.
• On August 14, 2023, the Commission published a notice of hearing in writing and participant funding for this matter.
• The Commission received submissions from 17 intervenors by the deadline of March 18, 2024.
• In making its decision, the Commission sent questions to CNSC staff through CMD 24-H100-Q. The Commission was satisfied with the responses provided by CNSC staff in CMD 24-H100.B.
• The renewed licence is valid until June 30, 2044.

Quick facts

• The McMaster Nuclear Reactor has been in operation since 1959.
• The research reactor is a 5-megawatt open-pool reactor using low-enriched uranium fuel.
• The McMaster Nuclear Reactor produces iodine-125 and other isotopes for medical use and is used for neutron radiography and for the irradiation of samples for biomedical research, material science and geological surveys.

Related links

• CNSC oversight of nuclear reactors
• Hearing submissions

Contact

Media Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Tel: 613-996-6860

Email: mediarelations@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca