Timeline: HTML Version

Michael Binder is appointed CNSC President Dr. Michael Binder has a Ph.D. in physics and previously held senior positions at Industry Canada, the Department of Communications, the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Ministry of State for Urban Affairs, and the Defence Research Board.

• Biography of Michael Binder
• CNSC Annual Report 2007–2008, p. 3

The CNSC resumes regulatory control of the National Research Universal reactor The CNSC resumes full regulatory oversight of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.'s National Research Universal reactor. The reactor had been exempted from regulatory control for 120 days after Royal Assent was granted for Bill C-38 on December 12, 2007.

• Atomic Energy of Canada Limited National Research Universal Reactor Safety System
• Upgrades and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's Licensing and Oversight Process

Amendments are made to the Nuclear Safety and Control Act Various regulations are amended to correct regulatory deficiencies and inconsistencies, to increase protection of workers, the public and the environment, and to adopt the latest international standards for exemption values and clearance levels.

• Nuclear Safety and Control Act

The CNSC receives an award for regulatory excellence The Community of Federal Regulators presents the CNSC with a Regulatory Excellence Award in Innovation in recognition of the National Sealed Source Registry and Sealed Source Tracking System. This prestigious award recognizes significant achievements and successful initiatives within Canada's regulatory community. (Source: Community of Federal Regulators)

• ARCHIVED - CNSC Annual Report, 2008–2009, page 76

The CNSC a holds public hearing on the shipment of used steam generators The CNSC holds a public hearing on Bruce Power’s application to package and transport 16 steam generators through the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway to Sweden for recycling. Initially non-radioactive, the interior of the bus-sized steam generators became contaminated with low levels of radioactivity during their service lives. Through the licensed Swedish facility, the generators would be recycled such that 90 percent of the metal could be decontaminated and sold as scrap. The remainder of the original volume would be returned to the licensee for storage.

The CNSC conducts a thorough environmental review under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and concludes the shipment to be low risk. However, in light of public concern about the potential impact on health and the environment, the CNSC decides to hold a public hearing to allow the public to be heard before the Commission, and to facilitate the presentation of accurate information relating to the health and safety risks of the proposed shipment. Seventy-seven intervenors take part at the hearing.

• Hearing documents

The CNSC implements a Participant Funding Program The program gives members of the public, Aboriginal groups and other stakeholders the opportunity to request funding in support of their participation in the CNSC’s regulatory decision-making process. The PFP is available to eligible stakeholders whose proposed activities are related to aspects of Environmental Assessments (EA) and/or a licensing action for major nuclear facilities (e.g., uranium mines, nuclear power plants or nuclear waste facilities). Funding may also be available for CNSC proceedings that are of significant interest to the public or to Aboriginal groups.

• Participant Funding Program

The CNSC responds to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in Japan Following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan and led to a nuclear crisis, the CNSC draws on its staff’s scientific, technical and communications expertise to report daily to Canadians on the situation and on different aspects of radiation and the safety of Canada’s nuclear power plants (NPPs). The CNSC also requests that all NPP operators in Canada review initial lessons learned from the earthquake and re-examine NPP safety cases. The operators are asked to focus on external hazards such as earthquakes, floods, fire and extreme weather events; measures to prevent and mitigate severe accidents; and emergency preparedness. The CNSC also requests they report on how they plan to address any significant gaps. Specialists from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and the CNSC also join the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Fukushima Accident Coordination Team.

• CNSC Integrated Action Plan On the Lessons Learned From the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident

The CNSC establishes a task force to learn from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. Following the March 30, 2011 Commission meeting, the CNSC announces the establishment of an operational task force to evaluate the operational, technical and regulatory implications of the March 11, 2011 nuclear event in Japan in relation to Canadian nuclear power plants. The task force comprises senior CNSC experts in reactor design, safety assessment, and emergency preparedness and response.

• Canada's Response to Fukushima

Michael Binder reappointed as CNSC President The Honourable Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced the re-appointment of Dr. Michael Binder as President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Dr. Binder, who was first appointed to the position in January 2008, was re-appointed for a five-year term.

Canada scores second overall on Nuclear Threat Initiative Index The Nuclear Threat Initiative released the 2014 edition of its Nuclear Materials Security Index. Canada was ranked in second place overall based on its improved transportation regulations, and the ratification of two key international nuclear security agreements: the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.(Source: Nuclear Threat Initiative)

• Nuclear Materials Security Index

CNSC launches its Independent Environmental Monitoring Program As a complement to its compliance activities, the CNSC implemented its Independent Environmental Monitoring Program to verify that the public and environment around CNSC-regulated nuclear facilities are not adversely affected by releases to the environment. This verification is achieved through independent sampling and analysis by the CNSC. The program results confirmed public safety was protected around the Bruce A and B nuclear generating stations.

• Independent Environmental Monitoring Program

CNSC’s final hypothetical severe accident study is released The Study of Consequences of a Hypothetical Severe Nuclear Accident and Effectiveness of Mitigation Measures was done to assess the consequences and possible mitigation of a hypothetical severe nuclear accident in Canada. It addressed concerns raised during public hearings in December 2012 on the environmental assessment for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment project.

• Study of Consequences of a Hypothetical Severe Nuclear Accident and Effectiveness of Mitigation Measures

Since 1946, the CNSC and its predecessor, the Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB), have regulated Canada's nuclear sector, continuously strengthening Canada's laws, regulations and licensing requirements, and enforcing compliance by licensees. The CNSC is mandated to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security, and the environment. Over the past 70 years, the CNSC has learned a lot about how to grow the best nuclear regulator in the world.