CNSC's relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada

The celebration of National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to acknowledge and commemorate the contributions that Indigenous peoples in Canada have made in our history, as well as to our contemporary cultural mosaic.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is committed to building and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous peoples in Canada. The CNSC works closely with Indigenous communities to ensure that existing or potential nuclear projects do not pose risks to health, safety, security or the environment.

Throughout their regulatory reviews, CNSC staff make sure that interests of, or concerns raised by, Indigenous communities regarding nuclear facilities or activities the CNSC regulates, are addressed. The goal is to ensure that any licensing decision the CNSC makes about a nuclear project follows the Nuclear Safety Control Act (NSCA) while taking into consideration potential adverse impacts to Indigenous peoples and/or treaty rights. Further, under REGDOC-3.2.2, Aboriginal Engagement, the CNSC requires its licensees to engage with Indigenous peoples. As part of its mandate, the CNSC provides guidance and information on objective scientific, technical and regulatory data to support that engagement.

During the entire lifecycle of a nuclear project that it regulates, the CNSC encourages ongoing dialogue and engages with Indigenous peoples in Canada in a variety of ways: through its Participant Funding Program, meetings with community representatives and leaders, and participation in licencing reviews and Commission proceedings. These avenues ensure that Indigenous peoples have their views and values reflected in the licensing process and regulatory oversight reports.

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