CNSC renews Best Theratronics Ltd’s operating licence for its Class IB Nuclear Processing Facility

June 26, 2019 – Ottawa

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its decision to renew the Class IB nuclear substance processing facility licence issued to Best Theratronics Limited (BTL) for its facility located in Ottawa, Ontario. The decision follows a public hearing held on May 16, 2019, in Ottawa, and the licence will be valid from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2029.

In making its decision, the Commission considered submissions from BTL, as well as CNSC staff’s recommendations. The Commission made participant funding available through the CNSC’s Participant Funding Program, and it invited interventions from Indigenous groups, members of the public and other stakeholders in this matter. However, the CNSC received no requests for participant funding to assist with interventions.

The Commission also states that its decision in this matter considered the arguments put forth by BTL in respect of which regulations made under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act were applicable to BTL’s licensed activities. Upon consideration of the evidence on the record for the hearing, and following its deliberations on this issue, the Commission concluded that a Class IB licence is appropriate in respect of BTL’s licensed activities relating to the operation of a particle accelerator (cyclotron) and the management of waste containing radioactive nuclear substances.

CNSC staff will report regularly on BTL’s performance, as part of the regulatory oversight reports. These reports will be presented at public Commission meetings.

The summary record of decision is currently available. A detailed record of decision will be published on the CNSC website at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. The hearing transcript can be obtained on the CNSC website or by contacting the CNSC. The hearing webcast is available on the same site.

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.