Keynote address by President Pierre Tremblay at the 28th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology

August 11, 2025 

– Check against delivery –

Introduction 

Good morning, everyone. 

Thank you, Nithy, for that kind introduction and for inviting me to help kick things off today – it is a privilege to be a part of this event. 

I also want to say how wonderful it is to see Canada playing host to this important international conference. With representatives from over 30 countries and across a variety of specialties, an event of this size and significance speaks to the important role Canada plays as a leader in the nuclear sector.

Before I begin my formal remarks, I would also like to acknowledge the land and traditional territory that we are gathered on here today. Thank you, as well, Mr. Teekens, for your generosity of spirit and for sharing your Indigenous expressions and valued perspectives through song and prayer.

As Nithy mentioned, I am Pierre Tremblay, President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, or CNSC. 

The timing of this event is significant for me personally, as I am approaching a full year on the job in this important role. I am grateful for opportunities like this, which allow me to learn, engage and share. I couldn’t be happier to be speaking to you all today on behalf of the regulator.   

As the nuclear sector evolves, the significance of structural mechanics continues to grow – especially with the emergence of new reactor designs that have yet to build an extensive operational track record.

Your specialty in the field of structural mechanics, and the knowledge and experience you have, are critical to the safe operation of our new and existing fleet.

We are all learning as new technologies evolve, and you help the sector maintain a conservative outlook on plant performance to ensure public safety. 

For my remarks today, I’d like to share my perspective on our evolving global nuclear landscape and the importance of continued international collaboration. 

I’ll also speak to the CNSC’s ongoing efforts to modernize our regulatory approach, enhance efficiency, and ensure we are well-prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving nuclear landscape.

International collaboration

This is an important and interesting time for nuclear – both here in Canada and around the world. With a growing global energy demand, driven by electrification and our collective response to climate change, the potential for nuclear as a reliable baseload energy source is significant. 

But we don't succeed in isolation. It is crucial that we collaborate and share key learnings and insights with our international partners. 

International cooperation has far-reaching benefits for worldwide nuclear safety. The CNSC and other international regulators have taken important steps to enable the sharing of knowledge and best practices to promote the safe deployment of nuclear technologies worldwide.

One example is the memorandum of cooperation between the CNSC, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation. 

This agreement and related work cover many disciplines, including structural mechanics. For example, under this agreement, the CNSC works closely with our partners on a number of novel technological aspects, such as the review of the Diaphragm Plate Steel Composite construction. 

This is a fundamental part of the main structure of the BWRX-300 Containment Vessel and Reactor Building design – a reactor that is being constructed by OPG here in Ontario, Canada. 

We appreciate our strong relationships with partners such as the US NRC and UK ONR and are heartened to know that they are equally committed and value our ongoing collaboration. 

International regulators engage on a broad range of issues that extend well beyond technical matters. 

Among these, regulatory efficiency has emerged as a particularly pressing concern – it is a recurring theme in my conversations with counterparts around the world, reflecting a collective drive to optimize processes and enhance the effectiveness of oversight.

It's reassuring to see a shared drive toward greater efficiency. It has been obvious to me in my first year that while every country has its own unique national context, we are all grappling with the same challenges, and our experiences and learnings can be shared and benefit others.

Efficiency and modernization

The call for regulatory efficiency is echoed here at home. The new government has made it clear that it intends to work quickly to achieve its goals.

We know the government intends to streamline multiple decision points in the approval process of a major project of national interest into a single, upfront decision. 

What this specifically means for the CNSC, and our work, is not yet clear, but regardless of what lies ahead, we remain focused on delivering on our mandate to protect the environment and the health, safety and security of all people in Canada.

To support this work, we continue to find efficiencies in our planning and processes. We remain flexible and open-minded around how we execute our mandate and remain committed to engaging with all interested parties as part of improving our regulatory process.

Experience has shown us which areas are more safety significant than others. We are prepared to do our part to apply this learning to how we regulate and to being ready to pivot and adjust our approach when necessary.  

We are addressing regulatory efficiency in several different ways, including:

• ensuring that our regulatory framework is effective, efficient and evidence-based; for example, through thematic reviews of our regulatory documents;

• actively participating in the Canadian government’s Red Tape Review of regulations to identify and address inefficient, outdated or duplicative practices;

• engaging with industry, non-governmental organizations, and Indigenous Nations and communities on specific feedback provided; and

• continuously reviewing our regulatory framework to look for alternative methods for achieving the same results. 

The increased attention on and priority of nuclear – and in particular new and advanced technologies such as SMRs – are driving forces behind the CNSC’s commitment to identifying efficiencies wherever possible. 

Such efforts will help the CNSC to succeed in fulfilling our important mandate. We must also focus on our ongoing oversight of Canada’s existing fleet. This is paramount. Without strong oversight, we will not be ready for what the future holds. 

There are many new and untested technologies and new construction methods being investigated, discussed and funded. We must ensure our readiness so that we are responsive to all new challenges, including new technologies and new communities. 

To do this, we must enhance our ability to evaluate and prioritize emerging technologies, enabling timely and informed licence application reviews. 

The anticipated volume and sequencing of new licence applications is unprecedented. These applications are expected to incorporate new technologies that may pose novel challenges during the review process. 

By creating clear criteria to prioritize current and anticipated new projects, we will better align our resources and focus. As more provinces look at carbon-free technologies, their importance will continue to grow. But not every new project will move forward, and Canadians expect us to be smart in how we use our resources. And so, we have launched a project to outline criteria and ready our workforce.

The potential expansion within existing communities as well as to new provinces and communities also provides the CNSC with an opportunity to consider how it informs and engages with all people in Canada.

Meaningful engagement 

We need to instill confidence in Canadians that the regulator makes good, risk-informed, evidence- and science-based decisions that keep the safety of Canadians and the environment at the forefront of all we do. 

We do this by communicating with and informing the public we serve – and by disseminating objective information to the public. 

The CNSC also encourages open dialogue through meaningful consultation and engagement. The expansion of nuclear across the country requires the CNSC to not only ensure regulatory clarity and efficiency, but also engage in a meaningful way with new and existing host communities. 

This includes advancing our engagement and consultation efforts with the Indigenous Nations and communities whose rights and interests may be impacted by nuclear activities. We are committed to active listening, ongoing dialogue, and working to understand the perspectives and values of Indigenous Nations and communities in support of advancing reconciliation. 

To that end, we recently embarked on a listening tour, initiating discussions with Nations to help us learn how we can best work together throughout the regulatory process and remove barriers to participation.

This year, we undertook changes to Commission proceedings to ensure they are more inclusive. We changed the physical layout of the room by removing the standard stage under the Commission, so we were all on the same level. The Commission also benefitted from the time that was dedicated for Indigenous ceremony, song and prayer.

These impactful changes were the direct result of what we’ve heard from rights holders. And we are committed to continuing to listen and learn.

That is why I feel fortunate to have visited the traditional territory of the Kebaowek First Nation recently. It was an honour to tour the community and listen to members of the KFN Council talk about their history, culture, and vision for the future.

These dialogues are critical to understanding each other’s perspectives and moving forward productively in a manner that reflects shared values and mutual respect. 

CNSC readiness

I’ve covered a lot of ground today, and it is important to recognize that delivering on our many commitments requires thinking strategically about investment in our people.

As the nuclear sector evolves and demographics shift, it is also crucial that we plan and ensure that we have the right people, in the right roles.

We do this through strategic workforce planning, thinking creatively about acquiring skills and talent, and by leveraging a variety of programs to provide ongoing learning and development opportunities for all staff, as well as focused development of leaders and managers. 

This capacity must come from a diverse workforce. That is why the CNSC continues to focus efforts on advocating for diversity across the nuclear sector. 

We’re incredibly proud to have hosted our third Indigenous Girls in STEM workshop, this year held in New Brunswick — an initiative that creates an inclusive and inspiring space for Indigenous girls to discover science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

We know diverse voices are vital to fostering innovation, decision making, and better safety outcomes. Complex challenges like those we face in the nuclear sector require varied perspectives. 

Conclusion

We are at a critical juncture in history. And we have lots to do. It has never been more important to ensure that regulatory oversight is executed rigorously.  

You all play a very significant role in this – you are the knowledge keepers and this should be recognized and celebrated. Thank you for the important work you do.

The CNSC will always make sure that safety remains top of mind for everyone. 

And we will continue to work hard to provide clarity on our expectations and requirements. In return, we expect everyone else to engage and to deliver as well.  

Thank you.