Natural Resources Canada is reviewing Canada’s legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear projects to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance regulatory clarity and predictability, and streamline processes. The review will maintain high standards for health, safety, security, and environmental protection, while respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Objectives
- Improve the efficiency and predictability of regulatory reviews, with a focus on streamlining and reducing decision timelines for nuclear impact assessment and licensing processes, while respecting Indigenous rights.
- Examine opportunities to strengthen Indigenous participation and considerations related to the interests and rights of Indigenous Peoples in review processes.
- Consider options for integrating impact assessment and federal permitting coordination within the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
Guiding Principles
- Efficient and clear regulation
- Greater coherence and coordination across federal regulatory regimes
- Respecting Indigenous rights, and supporting meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples
- Protecting the health, safety, security of people in Canada and the environment, and fulfilling Canada’s international obligations
Engagement
The Government of Canada is committed to including Indigenous perspectives and priorities in shaping potential changes to legislation, regulations, and policies.
As the review progresses, Natural Resources Canada will engage with Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders, and the public on possible improvements to Canada’s legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear projects. Further details regarding engagement will be announced later this year.
Background
In May 2026, the Government of Canada released a discussion paper outlining legislative, regulatory, and policy proposals to support the timely review of major projects in Canada, including a goal of completing the federal review processes in one year. Proposed measures include establishing a single project authority for certain projects to streamline reviews, reducing decision-making timelines, and enabling more efficient project assessments while maintaining strong environmental protections and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
For nuclear and uranium projects, the Government is proposing to make the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) responsible for conducting impact assessments for CNSC-regulated projects under the Impact Assessment Act and to enable the CNSC to coordinate federal permits and Crown consultation with Indigenous Peoples.
In parallel, the Government has directed Natural Resources Canada to review Canada’s legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear projects to identify areas for improvement, including streamlining processes and reducing decision timelines.
This review supports Canada’s Nuclear Energy Strategy, announced in June 2026, by seeking to streamline the legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear projects to ensure it remains effective, responsive and reflective of current priorities without compromising health, safety, security, and environmental protection all while respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
As the Government is considering regulatory and legislative reforms, the information presented will be updated once any future reforms come into effect.
Related Links
Simplifying Canada’s process for all major projects - One Canadian Economy
Nuclear Safety and Control Act