Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission renews Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ operating licence for Chalk River Laboratories

News release

March 29, 2018 – Ottawa

Following a public hearing held on January 23–25, 2018 in Pembroke, Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to renew Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ (CNL) Nuclear Research and Test Establishment Operating Licence for the Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) site, located near Chalk River, Ontario. The licence will be valid from April 1, 2018 until March 31, 2028.

In making its decision, the Commission considered submissions from CNL and 88 intervenors, as well as CNSC staff’s recommendations.

CNL will present a mid-term update in 2023 on its licensed activities at CRL during a public Commission meeting within the community. Members of the public will have the opportunity to intervene orally and in writing. CNSC staff will also report annually on CNL’s performance at CRL at a Commission meeting with public participation.

The Record of Decision is available on request to the Commission Secretariat. It will be posted in both official languages on the CNSC website at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. Hearing transcripts can be obtained on the CNSC website or by coantacting the CNSC. The hearing webcast is available on the same site for 90 days.

Following the public hearing, the Commission directed CNSC staff to prepare a document mapping licensing requirements in the current licence and licence conditions handbook (LCH) against those in the renewed licence and LCH. This document is available on request to the Commission Secretariat.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.  

Quick facts

  • Chalk River Laboratories (CRL), operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), is located approximately 160 km northwest of Ottawa. 

  • CRL is the largest single science and technology complex in Canada. 

  • During the next licence period, the National Research Universal (NRU) reactor will transition from operation to a safe shutdown state and then be prepared for decommissioning.  

  • This licence period will also include a variety of decommissioning, waste management and environmental restoration activities at the site.
     

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Contacts

Aurèle Gervais
Media Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
613-996-6860
1-800-668-5284

cnsc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.ccsn@canada.ca

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