New CNSC funding program will help Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders stay involved throughout the life cycle of nuclear activities

May 1, 2023 – Ottawa

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today that it is launching a new funding program called the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund (ISCF). The CNSC developed the ISCF based on extensive feedback from Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders on how to improve regulatory processes. The CNSC also engaged other federal departments and agencies for best practices and lessons learned to develop the new program.

The ISCF will help support Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders with a direct interest in nuclear activities to build capacity and knowledge in order to participate in the CNSC’s regulatory processes, programs and initiatives more effectively. The program includes three streams of funding opportunities:

·       Indigenous Capacity Support: To help reduce barriers for Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders to participate in CNSC regulatory processes, programs, policies and initiatives.

·       Regulatory Policy Dialogue: To support Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders to participate in the review of CNSC regulatory documents (REGDOCs), regulations and policies.

·       Engagement and Collaboration Support: To support engagement and collaboration activities between the CNSC and Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders.

Building relationships and supporting the meaningful participation and engagement of Indigenous Nations and communities, and stakeholders is an essential part of the CNSC’s regulatory mandate and processes. The ISCF will support relationship-building and bolster the CNSC’s already robust regulatory oversight of the nuclear industry in Canada. It will also contribute to the CNSC’s commitments to transparency, building trust, meaningful engagement, and supporting the Government of Canada’s goal of advancing reconciliation and implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Funding opportunities under the ISCF will be posted on the CNSC’s website and announced through emails to subscribers and CNSC social media channels. Each funding opportunity will provide clear guidance on the amount of funding available, eligibility requirements, timelines, and scope of the funding opportunity.

The ISCF builds on the CNSC’s successful and ongoing Participant Funding Program (PFP), which supports participation in project-specific licensing and environmental assessment processes, including participation in Commission proceedings.

Quote

“Supporting meaningful participation and engagement of Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders is integral to our work at the CNSC. The Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund is an important new tool for the CNSC to support building relationships and engaging in a meaningful way throughout the life cycle of nuclear activities. Building the capacity of Indigenous Nations and communities and stakeholders will ensure that we can better incorporate diverse voices and perspectives, including Indigenous and local knowledge into our work.  The result of this will help to contribute to stronger, safer, and more robust regulatory outcomes.”

- Rumina Velshi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Associated links

-          Participant Funding Program

-          Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund

-          Subscribe to the CNSC’s website to hear about ISCF funding opportunities