Question Period Note: Radioactive Waste Projects

The Government of Canada has committed to undertaking a review of its radioactive waste policy. At the same time, Canada’s radioactive waste owners are advancing projects for the safe, long-term management of their radioactive wastes. These initiatives have attracted public and media interest.

• When it comes to nuclear energy, protecting the health and safety of Canadians and the environment is our government’s top priority.
• It is the responsibility of radioactive waste owners to fund and implement waste management solutions that protect public health and safety, and the environment.
• All existing radioactive waste in Canada is being safely managed according to international standards at facilities that are licensed and monitored by our world-class regulator – the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).
• The CNSC will only approve projects if it concludes they are safe for people and the environment, both now and in the future.

If pressed on Canada’s need for an enhanced radioactive waste policy
• The Government of Canada is dedicated to ensuring that safe solutions are in place for managing radioactive waste.
• All radioactive waste in Canada is being safely managed according to international standards at facilities that are licensed and monitored by our world-class regulator – the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
• Canada is committed to meeting the highest international standards for radioactive waste.
• Over the next year, we will work with stakeholders and engage Canadians to enhance Canada’s already strong policy framework, and establish a strategy for the safe, long-term management of all of our nuclear waste, including future waste from Small Modular Reactors.
If pressed on long-term ownership and responsibility for the waste and decommissioning projects proposed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL):
• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is under contract with Atomic Energy Canada Limited (AECL) to manage AECL’s sites.
• AECL, the Crown Corporation that owns and is responsible for federal nuclear sites, will be responsible for any disposal facilities on its sites over the long term.
• Like all waste owners, AECL will be responsible for funding and managing safe solutions to radioactive waste in keeping with the Policy Framework for Radioactive Waste.
• The three projects are undergoing environmental assessments by the CNSC. It will only approve these projects if it concludes they are safe for people and the environment, both now and in the future.
If pressed on the NWMO’s deep geological repository site selection process:
• The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is responsible for implementing a long-term plan for managing Canada’s nuclear fuel waste that protects public health and safety, and the environment.
• The NWMO is moving forward with interested communities to identify a safe site in a willing-host community for a deep geological repository.
• Once a community is chosen, the project will be subject to an impact assessment. The NWMO is currently engaging and taking its time with communities to get this right.

If pressed on Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) vote opposing the formal proposal by Ontario Power Generation to construct a deep geologic repository:
• Canada’s policy is that radioactive waste owners are responsible for the development and implementation of fully-funded solutions that protect public health and safety, and the environment.
• In line with this, Ontario Power Generation must now determine a long-term strategy for its low- and intermediate-level waste.
If pressed on inadequacies of deep geological repositories:
• The International Atomic Energy Agency – the world’s leading authority on nuclear safety – considers deep disposal in geological formations as a sustainable and safe way to manage high-level waste.
• Several countries, including Sweden, France, and Finland, are moving forward with this option.
• Under Canada’s framework, radioactive waste owners are responsible for funding and implementing waste management solutions that protect public health and safety, and the environment.

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