Participant Funding Program decision – Regulatory Oversight Report for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Sites: 2023

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced on March 4, 2024, that it was offering up to $75,000 under its Participant Funding Program (PFP). This funding was to assist Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and interested parties in reviewing and in submitting comments in writing to the Commission on CNSC staff’s Regulatory Oversight Report for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Sites: 2023 (2023 CNL Report). Indigenous intervenors will also have the opportunity to make an oral presentation to the Commission. The facilities and activities covered by the 2023 CNL Report are located in the traditional and/or treaty territories of many Indigenous Nations and communities.

Background

Participant funding was made available by the CNSC:

• for the provision of new distinctive and valuable information to the Commission through informed and topic-specific interventions
• to assist interested parties in reviewing CNSC staff’s 2023 CNL Report in submitting written comments to the Commission

A funding review committee (FRC) was established to review the funding applications received by the CNSC’s PFP administrator and to make recommendations on the allocation of up to $75,000 for eligible applicants. The FRC was given the flexibility to recommend funding beyond $75,000 based on the value added of the funding applications received.

On May 14, 2024, the FRC reviewed the 8 PFP applications received by the CNSC, requesting $150,629.80.

Eligibility and funding criteria

For more information on participant funding and how it works, including details on eligibility and funding criteria, please read the PFP guide.

CNSC participant funding decision

The CNSC carefully considered the FRC’s recommendations on the allocation of participant funding and approved the reimbursement of up to $90,256.20 to the following recipients:

Applicant	Maximum amount of available funding
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation	$16,500
Canadian Environmental Law Association	$5,000
Radiation Safety Institute of Canada	$5,000
Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation	$20,098.10
Manitoba Métis Federation	$15,434.10
Nuclear Transparency Project	$4,750
Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation	$8,250
Kebaowek First Nation	$15,224
Total	$90,256.20

Amendments

After the initial funding award, Kebaowek First Nation (KFN) provided more information on the scope of their review and indicated that it would require additional funding. The CNSC approved amending KFN’s contribution agreement to include an additional $9,080 to assist with their review of the 2023 CNL Report and participation in the Commission meeting, bringing the total amount of funding to KFN to $24,304.

After the initial funding award, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN) provided more information on the scope of their review and indicated that it would require additional funding. The CNSC approved amending AOPFN’s contribution agreement to include an additional $6,289.66 to assist with their review of the 2023 CNL Report and participation in the Commission meeting, bringing the total amount of funding to AOPFN to $26,387.76.

The total amount of funding awarded to all recipients is now $105,625.86.

Additional information

Participant Funding Program Administrator, CNSC
Phone: 613-415-2814
Email: pfp@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca