Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

The meeting included discussions on the status of power reactors, particularly at Pickering and Darlington Nuclear Generating Stations, and updates on the fitness for service of Chalk River Laboratories. Progress on the Port Hope Area Initiative was presented, along with an oral intervention from Lake Ontario Waterkeeper regarding action levels, release limits, and heavy metal monitoring. The Commission also reviewed the Regulatory Oversight Report for Nuclear Processing, Small Research Reactors, and Class 1B Accelerator Facilities for 2015, covering uranium processing facilities, nuclear substance processing facilities, small nuclear research reactor facilities, and Class 1B particle accelerator facilities.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's 2025-2026 Departmental Plan outlines its commitments and intended results for the upcoming year. It prioritizes the safe operation of existing nuclear technology, readiness for new deployments such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and the modernization of its regulatory framework. Key focus areas include expanding outreach and engagement with Canadians and Indigenous Nations, fulfilling reconciliation commitments, ensuring a skilled and resilient workforce, and maintaining robust risk management strategies. The plan aims to protect health, safety, security, and the environment, implement international commitments, and foster public and Indigenous confidence through transparent regulatory processes.

The meeting covered a status report on power reactors, including updates on Bruce Nuclear Generating Station and New Brunswick Power. There was discussion on the long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel, with presentations from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) and CNSC staff. The Commission discussed Indigenous and community engagement, and public information related to nuclear waste management. The meeting also included an update on the implementation of recommendations from the Tritium Studies Project Synthesis Report and a briefing on biological mechanisms acting at low doses of radiation.

The meeting covered the review and approval of the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting. A significant development report was submitted, including discussions on a fire at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's (AECL) Chalk River Laboratories and a worker injury at Ontario Power Generation Inc.'s (OPG) Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. Updates were provided on the status of power reactors, including a forced maintenance outage at OPG's Pickering B nuclear generating station and the annual planned maintenance at Point Lepreau.

The meeting included discussions on the status of power reactors, specifically updates on the Darlington and Pickering Nuclear Generating Stations, as well as a forced outage at Bruce Unit 2 and a leak search in the Pickering Unit 5 moderator room. There was also a presentation on an event involving contaminated motors shipped to an unlicensed vendor. Additionally, the Commission assessed the industry's disposition of issues raised during the Bruce and Darlington Licensing Hearings in 2015, and a risk-informed assessment of CANDU safety issues was presented, including a review of Category 3 CANDU Safety Issues and interventions from stakeholders.