Press Release
From: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
July 5, 2022 – Ottawa
Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s issuance of a procedural direction in the matter of an application from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). CNL’s application was for an amendment to its nuclear research and test establishment operating licence for Chalk River Laboratories (CRL), to authorize the construction of a near surface disposal facility for solid low-level radioactive waste at the CRL site. The CRL site is located in Deep River, Ontario, on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg peoples. In issuing its direction, the Commission considered oral and written submissions from CNL, CNSC staff and 165 intervenors, including Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), the owner of the CRL site, and 8 Indigenous Nations and communities.
The Commission is leaving the record open to allow more time for engagement and consultation with Kebaowek First Nation and the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, and for the filing of additional information about these consultative efforts. The Commission will allow Kebaowek First Nation, the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, AECL, CNL and CNSC staff to file additional information, with a deadline of January 31, 2023.
The Commission’s procedural direction constitutes no ruling with respect to the environmental assessment or the licence amendment application. The Commission will await further information before making decisions in respect of the duty to consult, the environmental assessment, and the licence amendment application. As a result of leaving the record open, the time period for the written final submissions that are contemplated in the revised notice of public hearing including procedural guidance for questions and written final submissions will not commence until the Commission receives and reviews the new information on engagement and consultation.
The procedural direction is available on request to the Commission Registry at [email protected]. The direction will also be posted in both official languages at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. All submissions, hearing transcript, and the hearing webcast 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.
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Kim Cunningham
Media Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
613-996-6860 or 1-800-668-5284
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