CNSC Forward Regulatory Plan: 2024-2026
This forward regulatory plan provides information on regulatory initiatives that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) aims to propose or finalize in the next 2 years through:
- pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I
- final publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II
The forward regulatory plan may also include regulatory initiatives that are planned to come forward over a longer time frame. Comments or enquiries can be made using the contact information included with each regulatory initiative.
Proposed regulatory initiatives
- Repeal and replace the Nuclear Security Regulations
- Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Import, Export, and Safeguards)
- Regulations Amending the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations
- Regulations Amending the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations and the Packaging and Transportion of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015
- Implementation of Bill C-21: An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)
Departmental contact information
Lee Casterton
Director, Regulatory Framework Division
consultation@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
Consult the CNSC’s acts and regulations web page for:
- a list of acts and regulations administered by the CNSC
- further information on the CNSC’s implementation of government-wide regulatory management initiatives
The following links provide supporting policies and guidance, and information on the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and government-wide regulatory initiatives:
- Federal regulatory management
- Learn more about regulatory cooperation
- Government-wide forward regulatory plans
- Cabinet Directive on Regulation
- Red Tape Reduction Action Plan
To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit:
Repeal and replace the Nuclear Safety Regulations
Enabling act
Nuclear Safety and Control Act
Description
This regulatory project proposes to repeal and replace the Nuclear Security Regulations. The proposed changes would ensure continued security of nuclear facilities and prescribed information to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the environment. The proposal supports the mitigation of new threats and risks to nuclear facilities, nuclear materials, and nuclear substances in Canada.
The proposal would remove barriers to development and deployment of new reactor designs and technologies as per the CNSC’s commitments in Canada's Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Action Plan and A Call to Action: A Canadian Roadmap for Small Modular Reactors. It aligns the regulations with the Cabinet Directive on Regulation and the Policy on Regulatory Development by implementing performance-based regulations where appropriate.
The proposed regulations would align the domestic framework with international conventions and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations, guidance, and best practices. They would also ensure that Canada continues to fulfill its international obligations for the security of nuclear and radioactive material. Specifically, the proposed regulations would address recommendations from the International Physical Protection Advisory Service mission in 2015 and the Integrated Regulatory Review Service in 2019.
This project will also amend the REGDOC-2.12 series and make consequential amendments to other regulatory documents, including licence application guides and documents in the REGDOC-3.1 series, as required.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
This regulatory proposal is not related to a work plan or commitment under a formal regulatory cooperation forum.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including business
There may be business impacts. The “one-for-one” rule and/or the small business lens may apply.
Consultations
The CNSC plans to publish the proposed regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and publication is expected to take place in winter 2024–25.
The CNSC continues to consult with stakeholders for the amendments to the regulatory documents.
Further information
Related information can be found on the Let’s Talk Nuclear Safety web page.
Additional information can be requested from the department contact.
Year the regulatory initiative was first included in the forward regulatory plan: 2017
Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Import, Exports and Safeguards)
Enabling act
Nuclear Safety and Control Act
Description
The CNSC is responsible for ensuring that Canada meets its obligations pursuant to:
- the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
- the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol with the IAEA
- international import and export controls
The proposed amendments to the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations (GNSCR) would ensure that safeguards requirements apply to all persons and would remove outdated requirements for licensees.
The proposed amendments would also:
- harmonize the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations (NNIECR) with international export guidelines
- reduce regulatory burden for items deemed to be of low proliferation significance, while remaining aligned with international commitments
- introduce a requirement for additional information on licence applications
- harmonize with national record retention requirements
The CNSC also proposes additional changes to the NNIECR, along with a related change to the GNSCR, to clarify certain entries, to reduce regulatory burden for items deemed to be of low proliferation significance, and to provide additional information for use in assessing applications and licensee compliance.
Objectives
Amend the GNSCR to:
- broaden safeguards requirements
- modernize prescribed information requirements
2. Amend the NNIECR to:
- align with international control lists
- introduce licence exemptions
- enhance the licensing process
- harmonize record retention periods
The regulatory project will also amend associated regulatory documents, such as REGDOC-2.13.1 and REGDOC-2.13.2.
Consultations
The CNSC is targeting pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part 1 in spring 2024.
Further information
Related information can be found on the Let’s Talk Nuclear Safety web page.
Additional information can be requested from the department contact.
Year the regulatory initiative was first included in the forward regulatory plan: 2016
Regulations amending the Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations
Enabling act
Nuclear Safety and Control Act
Description
- Modernize the regulations to reflect the latest technological changes, and where possible, create “technology-agnostic” regulations
- Incorporate operational experience (gained since the last regulatory review) in performing licensing and compliance verification activities that involve Class II prescribed equipment
- Allow licensee flexibility while ensuring safety
- Reduce regulatory burden through streamlining requirements and removing any duplication
- Ensure that the regulations are logical and align with existing good practices
- Clarify regulations and ease their use for all stakeholders
The regulation project will also amend REGDOC-1.4.1, REGDOC-1.5.1, REDOC-2.2.3, Volume I, and REGDOC-3.1.3. Other regulatory documents that require consequential amendments will be modified as required.
Consultations
The CNSC is consulting with stakeholders.
The CNSC is targeting pre-publication in the Canada Gazette in 2026.
Further information
Related information can be found on Let’s Talk Nuclear Safety web page.
Additional information can be requested from the department contact.
Year the regulatory initiative was first included in the forward regulatory plan: 2021
Regulations Amending the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations and the Packaging and Transportation of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2015
Enabling act
Nuclear Safety and Control Act
Description
This project will amend the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations and the Packaging and Transportation of Nuclear Substances Regulations.
Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations
The proposed amendments would codify existing changes to the exposure device operator certification program into regulations. They would modify the record retention period so as to reduce administrative burden, modify definitions, and implement miscellaneous amendments to add clarity.
- Address regulatory consistency with other domestic regulations
- Adopt international recommendations, guidance and best practices
- Reduce administrative burden where possible
- Ensure clarity of requirements
Packaging and Transportation of Nuclear Substances Regulations
- Remove inconsistencies on the rights of pregnant and breastfeeding nuclear energy workers
- Include new requirements from the Radiation Protection Regulations
- Correct inaccuracies and other errors
This project will also amend associated regulatory documents.
Consultations
The CNSC is consulting with stakeholders.
The CNSC is targeting pre-publication in the Canada Gazette in 2026.
Further information
Related information can be found on Let’s Talk Nuclear Safety web page.
Additional information can be requested from the department contact.
Year the regulatory initiative was first included in the forward regulatory plan: 2021
Implementation of Bill C-21: An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments to regulations (firearms)
Description
The implementation of Bill C-21 will require the following amendments to the Nuclear Security Regulations:
- Designation of peace officers
- Implementation of the process for handling complaints related to the conduct of nuclear security officer exercising their powers or performing their duties and functions as peace officers.
The CNSC conducted consultations in early 2015 on aspects of the policies in Bill C-21.
Consultations
The CNSC started further consultations in spring 2024.
The CNSC is targeting pre-publication in the Canada Gazette in 2026.
Further information
Related information can be found on Let’s Talk Nuclear Safety web page.
Additional information can be requested from the department contact.
Year the regulatory initiative was first included in the forward regulatory plan: 2015
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