ARCHIVED - Sustainable Development

Report on Plans and Priorities 2011-2012
Electronic Layer of Reporting
Elements of NRCan's Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Target 3.1 - Fresh Water Quality

Complete federal actions to restore beneficial uses in Canadian Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes by 2020.

FSDS Implementation Strategy

3.1.5 Advance clean-up of historic radioactive wastes in the Port Hope area, which has been identified as an Area of Concern by the International Joint Commission. (NRCan)

You will find below details about NRCan’s activities that contribute to this implementation strategy:

Radioactive Waste Management

This activity is nested within NRCan’s Program Activity Architecture (PAA) as follows:

• Strategic Outcome 2 - 
  Environmental Responsibility
  
  
  • Program Activity 2.2 - 
    Ecosystem Risk Management
    
    
    • Sub Activity 2.2.4 - 
      Radioactive Waste Management
      
      

Description

Past nuclear industry and uranium mining activities were not subject to modern regulations and, in some cases, have resulted in a legacy of radioactive waste or contaminated lands. When the original or current owner cannot be held responsible for this material, government intervention is required to develop and implement interim and long-term management expectations. Under Sub Activity - Radioactive Waste Management (PAA 2.2.4), NRCan is involved in policy and program development and implementation aimed at establishing long-term management solutions for radioactive waste for which the federal government has responsibilities. Under this Sub Activity is a key Sub Activity that contributes to this FSDS implementation strategy:

• Sub Sub Activity - Historic Waste (PAA 2.2.4.1): NRCan provides oversight for the management of historic low-level radioactive wastes, including funding and policy direction, which helps to decrease health and safety risks for Canadians. In particular, through the Port Hope Area Initiative, the Government of Canada is responding to community-recommended solutions for the cleanup and long-term safe management of historic low-level radioactive waste in the Port Hope area.

Relationship to FSDS Target

The Port Hope Area Initiative will remediate the Port Hope Harbour and reduce the inflow of contaminated water into Lake Ontario. Thus the work of Sub Activity - Historic Waste, under Sub Activity - Radioactive Waste Management contributes directly to FSDS Target 3.1 - Fresh Water Quality.

Non-Financial Performance Expectations

The Expected Results and Indicators apply annually unless otherwise indicated:

Expected Results and Indicators (Sub Sub Activity 2.2.4.1)

Contaminated sites are cleaned up.

• Achievement of Legal Agreement obligations.

Proper waste management facilities are established.

• Compliance with applicable Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission institutional controls/ licenses in FY 2011-2012.

Outputs and Indicators (Sub Sub Activity 2.2.4.1)

Strategic Plan to consolidate known historic waste in long-term management facility(s).

• Progress on site cleanups and implementation of long-term management approach.

Detailed designs, regulatory approvals.

• Licenses issued (will not apply after 2011-2012).