Supplementary Information Tables for the 2023–24 Departmental Plan: Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement program

The CNSC is dedicated to transforming its public engagement program in order to position itself as a proactive and informed regulator, prepared to mitigate issues, and meaningfully engage and build trust with its diverse stakeholders. To this end, the CNSC is implementing a new Strategic Stakeholder Engagement program that will guide the development and maintenance of long-term relationships with Indigenous Nations and communities and specific stakeholders, and ensure that concerns, perspectives and values are taken into consideration. In establishing this new program, the CNSC will move from a transactional approach to Indigenous and stakeholder relations to a lifecycle approach that focuses on long-term relationship building with key stakeholders outside of the CNSC’s existing licensing processes.

Indigenous engagement

The CNSC is committed to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Nations and communities through meaningful engagement to ensure Indigenous concerns and perspectives are considered as part of the CNSC’s regulatory processes. In 2023-24, the CNSC will establish an Indigenous Advisory Council that will provide independent external advice on the integration of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives to advance reconciliation and enhance CNSC’s policy and operational practices across all CNSC branches. This new Committee will support a more relationship based and collaborative approach to engaging with Indigenous Nations and communities that reflects the unique and important relationship we have with Indigenous Nations and communities. The CNSC strives to be as inclusive and equitable as possible through its engagement model.

WISTEM

The CNSC’s Women in STEM initiative was launched in 2019 to encourage girls and women to pursue a STEM education and career, to support women in STEM careers at the CNSC, and to raise awareness in collaboration with interested partners such as government, industry and academia. In May 2023, the CNSC will also host Canada’s first Nuclear Energy Agency International Mentoring Workshop. This workshop will bring together Grade 9 Indigenous girls and accomplished mentors, weaving together Indigenous knowledge and western science to provide an empowering and inspiring experience for young Indigenous women.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) & Advisory Council on Inclusion

At the CNSC, EDI are fundamental to strengthening our healthy safety culture, encouraging innovation and collaboration, and supporting better decision making. As such, in the coming year, the CNSC will develop a new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan with a newly formed Advisory Council on Inclusion. The purpose is to ensure that efforts in this area are thoughtful, inclusive, and strategic. This Council will represent the voices and interests of members of equity-seeking groups, employee networks and CNSC staff.

Accessibility Plan

The implementation of the CNSC’s Accessibility Plan is a starting point to address the challenges known to the organization at the time of the plan’s inception. In 2023-24, the CNSC will continue to work towards addressing the varied, unique and nuanced barriers faced by persons with disabilities. This plan seeks to advance awareness and drive positive action towards making the CNSC a more accessible and equitable workplace for persons of all abilities.

The CNSC will also participate in and promote GBA Plus Awareness Week activities in 2023–24. Additionally, employee pulse surveys will continue to incorporate a GBA Plus lens.

The CNSC is committed to creating a barrier-free, diverse and inclusive work environment for all employees and the public. The CNSC is working to strengthen our culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, which is the hallmark of a truly healthy, safe and successful organization.