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Modernizing Canada's radioactive waste policy – Closed consultation

Status: Closed

This consultation ran from November 2020 to May 2021.

Objectives of the review

The objectives of the policy review and modernization of Canada’s radioactive waste policy were to:

  • Elaborate on the existing radioactive waste policy and provide clearer direction and greater leadership on radioactive waste management
  • Stimulate and facilitate progress on the safe, effective, and environmentally acceptable management of radioactive waste in Canada
  • Continue to meet international standards based on the best available science, and reflect the values and principles of Canadians

As part of the review, Natural Resources Canada engaged broadly with Indigenous peoples, interested citizens, provinces and territories, and the public.

Engagement principles

  • Flexible – adaptive and sensitive to the current health crisis. Where feasible, this includes alternative virtual and remote engagement methods to respect the public’s health and well-being of the public regarding COVID-19.
  • Meaningful – informed engagement, based on a two-way dialogue that is understanding and responsive to concerns raised.
  • Respectful – of time, capacity, and priorities of prospective participants; seeking to involve Indigenous elders and traditional knowledge keepers while being attentive to traditional protocols.
  • Timely – providing adequate engagement timelines that allow Indigenous peoples, and other participants, to review the information and convey their perspectives.
  • Transparent – building trust through openness, predictability and transparency.
  • Broad-based and inclusive – providing an open engagement process for all Canadians, taking into account different capacities to participate.

We engaged with Indigenous peoples, the general public, stakeholders, experts, and other interested parties between launch and conclusion of the process in 2022 to review and modernize Canada’s Radioactive Waste Policy for future generations.

Guiding values and principles of a modernized for Radioactive Waste Policy

Going into the engagement process, the core values and principles to the policy that are important to Canadians and Indigenous peoples were to be part of the new forward-looking, modernized Radioactive Waste Policy. These principles include:

  • Protecting the Safety of People and the Environment is the Government’s top priority when it comes to nuclear energy and the management of radioactive waste. As an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) member and in keeping with international requirements, Canada is committed to developing policies based on international practices and IAEA guidance for radioactive waste in a manner that protects human health and the environment without imposing undue burdens on future generations.
  • Openness, Transparency and Public Consultation are guiding principles of the Government of Canada, including all facets of radioactive waste management. From policy and regulatory development to project reviews, making government information available to Canadians transparently for public consumption is a priority for us.
  • The Government of Canada is deeply committed to advancing reconciliation and a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on the recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership. No relationship is more important to Canada than the one with Indigenous peoples. As laws and policies are developed and reviewed, the Government recognizes that Indigenous perspectives and rights must be incorporated. This approach reflects the Government’s commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As the review process of Canada’s for Radioactive Waste Policy proceeds, the Government will work with Indigenous peoples to ensure that it is aligned with the UN Declaration. Natural Resources Canada is committed to building partnerships and providing more opportunities for Indigenous peoples through inclusive growth and sharing in Canada’s natural resources prosperity and development. This includes business opportunities, the development of programs and policies, a review of projects, and braiding and weaving Indigenous Knowledge to complement, enhance, supplement, and strengthen western science. Recognizing Indigenous peoples' shared interest in the review of Canada’s Radioactive Waste Policy, the Government will engage with Indigenous peoples in good faith and respect with the vision of creating a shared future in the management of radioactive waste in Canada.

What we heard

Final report

This final report sets out the context for the management of radioactive waste and decommissioning in Canada, the oversight regime that applies, and the main points of feedback we heard on modernizing Canada’s policy for radioactive waste management and decommissioning. We received views on:

  • values and principles to modernize the policy
  • the roles and responsibilities of government, the regulator, industry and others
  • Canadians’ perspectives for the policy as it relates to several topics, including radioactive waste minimization, storage, decommissioning, and disposal

Download the final report (PDF, 2.1 MB)

Engagement reports

These reports provide a snapshot of views and perspectives we have received from interested Canadians including Indigenous groups regarding Canada’s radioactive waste policy. Engagement Summary Report 1 summarizes views and perspectives received between 16 November 2020 and 19 February 2021. Engagement Summary Report 2 summarizes views and perspectives received between 20 February 2021 and 14 May 2021.

Key items for discussion

Comments and ideas submitted

Note: Comments, ideas and feedback are provided in the language of the author’s choosing.

Documents submitted online from participants

Here you will find documents submitted by governments, industry, not-for-profit organizations, interested Canadians, academia, and Indigenous peoples and groups. Please note that information provided by external sources may not be subject to the Official Languages Act and is published in the language(s) in which it was submitted. Where applicable, comments that violate the Terms of Use have been redacted. The submissions reflect the views from interested participants, but does not reflect policy direction, nor Natural Resources Canada’s intent. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the content of other websites quoted in the submissions and does not endorse the sites and their content.

Document Reference Number Title Associated submission through Open Gov

DOC-001

Document submitted by an organization (Document 1) (PDF, 3.01 MB)

DOC-002

Document submitted by an organization (Document 2) (PDF, 92.38 KB)

DOC-003

Document submitted by Nuclear Waste Watch (PDF, 2.01 MB)

DOC-004

Document submitted by Ottawa Riverkeeper (PDF, 130.96 KB)

DOC-005

Document submitted by Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament, Saanich - Gulf Islands (PDF, 179.77 KB)

DOC-006

Document submitted by Moltex (Document 1) (PDF, 97.40 KB)

DOC-007

Document submitted by Moltex (Document 2) (PDF, 97.38 KB)

DOC-008

Document submitted by Moltex (Document 3) (PDF, 93.70 KB)

DOC-009

Document submitted by the CSA Group (PDF, 134.57 KB)

DOC-010

Document submitted by Women in Nuclear (WiN) Canada (PDF, 532.12 KB)

DOC-011

Document submitted by CANDU Owners Group (COG) Small Modular Reactor Vendor Participant Program (SMR VPP) (PDF, 777.08 KB)

DOC-012

Document submitted by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) (Document 27) (PDF, 1.39 MB)

DOC-013

Document submitted by the Municipality of Clarington (PDF, 675.87 KB)

DOC-014

Document submitted by Hydro-Québec  (French) (PDF, 296.68 KB)

DOC-015

Document submitted by the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) (PDF, 942.10 KB)

DOC-016

Document submitted by CANDU Owners Group (COG)  (PDF, 387.21 KB)

DOC-017

Document submitted by CANDU Owners Group (COG) Small Modular Reactor Technology Forum (SMRTF) (PDF, 475.52 KB)

DOC-018

Document submitted by International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada (IPPNWC) (PDF, 32.06 KB)

DOC-019

Document submitted by the NDG-Westmount Federal Liberal Riding Association Policy Committee (PDF, 29.74 KB)

DOC-020

Document submitted by Protect Our Water Ways-No Nuclear Waste (POW-NNW) (PDF, 4.07 MB)

Reference Number CI-399

DOC-021

Document submitted by NB Power (PDF, 135.22 KB)

DOC-022

Document submitted by National Council of Women of Canada (PDF, 413.85 KB)

DOC-023

Document submitted by Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) (PDF, 123.75 KB)

DOC-024

Document submitted by Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee (PHCHCC) (Document 1) (PDF, 2.29 MB)

Reference Number CI-479

DOC-025

Document submitted by Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee (PHCHCC) (Document 2) (PDF, 10.13 MB)

Reference Number CI-479

DOC-026

Document submitted by Canadian Nuclear Labs (CNL) (PDF, 1.10 MB)

DOC-027

Document submitted by Mayor Dave Ryan, City of Pickering (PDF, 215.42 KB)

DOC-028

Document submitted by Swim Drink Fish Canada/Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (PDF, 211.66 KB)

DOC-029

Document submitted by the Regional Municipality of Durham (PDF, 647.63 KB)

DOC-030

Document submitted by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association (FOCA) (PDF, 107.35 KB)

DOC-031

Document submitted by Pontiac Environment Protection (PEP) (PDF, 374.84 KB)

DOC-032

Document submitted by Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area (PDF, 332.01 KB)

DOC-033

Document submitted by Provincial Council of Women of Ontario (PCWO) (PDF, 180.00 KB)

DOC-034

Document submitted by Northwatch (Document 1) (PDF, 281.57 KB)

Reference Number CI-512

DOC-035

Document submitted by Northwatch (Document 2) (PDF, 267.24 KB)

Reference Number CI-513

DOC-036

Document submitted by Northwatch (Document 3) (PDF, 251.34 KB)

Reference Number CI-514

DOC-037

Document submitted by Northwatch (Document 4) (PDF, 215.31 KB)

Reference Number CI-515

DOC-038

Document submitted by Northwatch (Document 5) (PDF, 2.26 MB)

DOC-039

Document submitted by Nuclear Transparency Project (NTP) (PDF, 57.74 KB)

DOC-040

Document submitted by Kebaowek First Nation (PDF, 251.93 KB)

DOC-041

Document submitted by the Municipality of Kincardine (PDF, 254.37 KB)

DOC-042

Document submitted by Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (PDF, 269.64 KB)

DOC-043

Document submitted by Manitoba Metis Federation (PDF, 1.58 MB)

DOC-044

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 1) (PDF, 428.52 KB)

DOC-045

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 2) (PDF, 3.09 MB)

DOC-046

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 3) (PDF, 905.59 KB)

DOC-047

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 4) (PDF, 450.11 KB)

DOC-048

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 5) (PDF, 338.04 KB)

DOC-049

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 6) (PDF, 90.93 KB)

DOC-050

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 7) (French) (PDF, 117.78 KB)

DOC-051

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 8) (French) (PDF, 120.55 KB)

DOC-052

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 9) (French) (PDF, 115.73 KB)

DOC-053

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 10) (French) (PDF, 332.83 KB)

DOC-054

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 11) (PDF, 41.04 KB)

DOC-055

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 12) (PDF, 42.26 KB)

DOC-056

Document submitted by Ginette Charbonneau on behalf of Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive (Document 13) (PDF, 238.07 KB)

DOC-057

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 14) (PDF, 114.96 KB)

DOC-058

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 15) (PDF, 115.47 KB)

DOC-059

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 16) (PDF, 108.11 KB)

Reference Number CI-071

DOC-060

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 17) (PDF, 509.77 KB)

DOC-061

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 18) (PDF, 132.39 KB)

DOC-062

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 19) (PDF, 117.44 KB)

Reference Number CI-106

DOC-063

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 20) (PDF, 2.59 MB)

Reference Number CI-107

DOC-064

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 21) (PDF, 148.47 KB)

Reference Number CI-108

DOC-065

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 22) (PDF, 211.37 KB)

DOC-066

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 23) (PDF, 23.49 KB)

DOC-067

Document submitted by Ginette Charbonneau on behalf of Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive (Document 24) (PDF, 238.07 KB)

DOC-068

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 25) (PDF, 83.66 KB)

DOC-069

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 26) (PDF, 58.58 KB)

DOC-070

Document submitted by Ginette Charbonneau on behalf of Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive (Document 27) (PDF, 238.07 KB)

DOC-071

Document submitted by Ginette Charbonneau on behalf of Ralliement contre la pollution radioactive (Document 28) (PDF, 238.07 KB)

DOC-072

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 29) (PDF, 322.35 KB)

DOC-073

Document submitted by interested individuals (Document 30) (PDF, 284.68 KB)

DOC-074

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 31) (PDF, 310.28 KB)

DOC-075

Document submitted by interested individuals (Document 32) (PDF, 440.91 KB)

Reference Number CI-170

DOC-076

Document submitted by interested individuals (Document 33) (PDF, 70.36 KB)

Reference Number CI-191

DOC-077

Document submitted by interested individuals (Document 34) (PDF, 124.65 KB)

DOC-078

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 35) (PDF, 292.11 KB)

DOC-079

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 36) (PDF, 52.24 KB)

Reference Number CI-254

DOC-080

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 37) (PDF, 249.81 KB)

DOC-081

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 38) (PDF, 30.29 KB)

DOC-082

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 39) (PDF, 37.70 KB)

DOC-083

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 40) (French) (PDF, 413.72 KB)

DOC-084

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 41) (PDF, 779.40 KB)

Reference Number CI-354

DOC-085

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 42) (PDF, 38.03 KB)

DOC-086

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 43) (PDF, 37.57 KB)

Reference Number CI-394

DOC-087

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 44) (PDF, 147.72 KB)

Reference Number CI-453

DOC-088

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 45) (PDF, 153.97 KB)

DOC-089

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 46) (PDF, 304.59 KB)

DOC-090

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 47) (PDF, 500.07 KB)

DOC-091

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 48) (PDF, 117.59 KB)

DOC-092

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 49) (PDF, 2.08 MB)

Reference Number CI-481

DOC-093

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 50) (PDF, 2.34 MB)

Reference Number CI-506

DOC-094

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 51) (PDF, 2.00 MB)

Reference Number CI-507

DOC-095

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 52) (PDF, 154.63 KB)

DOC-096

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 53) (PDF, 386.92 KB)

Reference Number CI-521

DOC-097

Document submitted by interested individuals (Document 54) (PDF, 485.84 KB)

Reference Number CI-525

DOC-098

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 55) (PDF, 298.39 KB)

Reference Number CI-526

DOC-099

Document submitted by an interested individual (Document 56) (PDF, 38.45 KB)

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