ARCHIVED - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

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Section II - Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

2.1 Strategic Outcome

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has a single strategic outcome: safe and secure nuclear installations and processes used solely for peaceful purposes and public confidence in the nuclear regulatory regime's effectiveness. To support this outcome, the CNSC has four program activities: regulatory framework; licensing and certification; compliance; and internal services.

The following section describes the CNSC's program activities and identifies the expected results, performance indicators and targets for each of them. This section also explains planning highlights and benefits for Canadians, and presents the financial and non-financial resources that will be dedicated to each activity.

2.1.1 Program Activity: Regulatory Framework

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Program Activity: Regulatory Framework

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010-11		2011-12		2012-13
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
120	19,407	102	16,065	102	16,100

 

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
A clear and pragmatic regulatory framework	Satisfaction levels of stakeholders across key performance areas	Increasing trend in survey results over a three-year period, stable thereafter
	Number of legal challenges to the regulatory framework	Minimal/declining number of challenges and/or high success rate of defending challenges

Program Activity Description

The Regulatory Framework program is in place to ensure that Canadians—and licensees, in particular—have a clear and pragmatic regulatory framework for the nuclear industry in Canada.

Funds are used to develop and make amendments to those regulations (such as the Nuclear Safety Control Act and regulations under the Act; regulatory documents, such as policies, standards and guides; the Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol between Canada and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and Canada's bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements) that protect the health, safety, security, and environment for Canadians, while implementing Canada's international commitments on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

The CNSC also administers the Nuclear Liability Act and, as a Responsible Authority under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, carries out environmental assessments for nuclear projects in accordance with this legislation.

The following table aligns the Regulatory Framework Planning Highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Program Activity Summary and Planning Highlights

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Core regulatory operations
Strengthen management and governance of Regulatory Framework Program	Ongoing
Fulfill regulatory oversight to support Canada's obligations on the peaceful use of nuclear materials and technology	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Commitment to ongoing improvements "Always room for improvements"
Strengthen regulatory analysis and research to support: Regulatory oversight of current facilities; Evolution of modern benchmarks and standards; Future technologies and applications.	March 31, 2011
Prepare for new builds Finalize review documents/guides needed for assessment of New Nuclear Power Plants.	March 31, 2011
Organizational Priority: Clarity of requirements "So everyone understands the rules"
Drive regulatory framework priorities Clarify regulatory requirements for ageing facilities/life extension Continue work on completing regulatory requirements for waste management to support Deep Geologic Repository and Nuclear Waste Management Organization.	March 31, 2011
Review nuclear security, safety, and emergency management policies and procedures post-September 11, 2001.	March 31, 2011
Update environmental and radiation protection under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
Complete tritium studies as per the Tritium Charter;	September 2010
Continue to conduct health studies of radiation-exposed populations.	March 31, 2011
Consult with Aboriginal communities (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) on the CNSC approach to the licensing and regulatory oversight of nuclear projects, such as nuclear power plants, uranium mines and mills and nuclear waste management facilities, on their Aboriginal rights or title (the duty to consult can be triggered by a variety of CNSC regulatory matters).	2010-11
Continue to work with its Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) partners to coordinate regulatory activities related to major nuclear projects, including nuclear power plants, uranium mines and mills, and nuclear waste management facilities; share best practices; undertake and integrate policy review initiatives; and advance administrative, regulatory and legislative options to modernize and streamline the federal regulatory system for project reviews - from environmental assessment to licensing.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Communications "Accurate, clear, concise and timely"
Continue to implement proactive disclosure.	Ongoing
The CNSC will explore renewing and updating an existing memorandum of understanding with Health Canada to improve information sharing, analysis, and collaboration.	March 31, 2011

Benefits for Canadians

The CNSC maintains an evergreen assessment of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act(NSCA) to fulfill its mandate, and continuously works with other national and international organizations to ensure that nuclear energy and materials are regulated effectively. Through its work with these partners, the CNSC is able to share best practices and lessons learned, and maximize its efficiency.

This program activity also aims to ensure that the CNSC's non-licensee and non-governmental related stakeholders are informed on the activities, policies, programs and the role of the CNSC, and that they have an opportunity to ask questions and express their views. It provides objective scientific and technical information on the areas regulated by the CNSC, and engages stakeholders, by soliciting their input on regulatory issues to enhance the quality of the organization's work and decisions. Licensees and government stakeholders (both domestic and international) are also appropriately informed about, and/or consulted on the role, activities, policies, and programs of the CNSC.

2.1.2 Program Activity: Licensing and Certification

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Program Activity: Licensing and Certification

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010-11		2011-12		2012-13
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
215	27,709	214	27,738	214	28,227

 

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Individuals and organizations that operate safely and conform to safeguards and non-proliferation requirements	Number of licences and certificates issued as per service standards	Meet external performance service standards

Program Activity Description

The Licensing and Certification program is in place to issue licences or certify persons or organizations to conduct nuclear-related activities in Canada.

With this program activity's funding, the CNSC obtains evidence of the applicant licensees' ability to operate safely and comply with nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation requirements.

The CNSC undertakes this work to obtain assurance that nuclear activities and facilities in Canada are conducted with adequate provision for protection of health, safety, security and the environment and the fulfillment of commitments to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The following table aligns the Licensing and Certification Planning Highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Program Activity Summary and Planning Highlights

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Core regulatory operations
Undertake licensing and certification work.	Ongoing
Conduct licensing hearings.
Relicensing of Pickering A	June 30, 2010
Relicensing of Gentilly-2	December 31, 2010
Undertake regulatory oversight of Pickering B life extension activities.	Ongoing
Undertake regulatory oversight of return-to-service of Bruce A Units 3 and 4 following refurbishment.	Ongoing
Undertake regulatory oversight of preparations for refurbishment of Bruce B Units 3 and 4.	Ongoing
Develop a relicensing strategy for the refurbishment of all Darlington Units.	Ongoing
Undertake regulatory oversight of commissioning activities for design modification/upgrades and return-to-service following refurbishment of Point Lepreau.	Ongoing
Execute project plans for new uranium mine applications.	March 31, 2011
Execute project plans for the Darlington Joint Review Panel
Site licence issuance	March 31, 2011
Start execution of project plan for Ontario Power Generation's Deep Geologic Repository.	March 31, 2011
Port Hope Area Initiative
Port Hope Project
The transfer of land from Cameco to the Federal Government will be finalized.	2010
AECL, as the licensee and agent for the Federal Government, will begin submitting the necessary detailed documentation for CNSC review and acceptance.	March 31, 2011
Port Granby Project
AECL, as the proponent and agent for the Federal Government, will begin submitting the necessary licensing documentation for CNSC review.	March 31, 2011
Organizational Priority: Commitment to ongoing improvements "Always room for improvements"
Prepare for new builds
Develop and implement lessons learned from Bruce Joint Review Panel to Darlington and other Joint Review Panels.	March 31, 2011
Develop and implement policy on the applications of Periodic Safety Review (PSR) for the ongoing operations of Nuclear Power Plants.	March 31, 2011
Organizational Priority: Clarity of requirements "So everyone understands the rules"
Clarify and streamline abridged hearing process.	March 31, 2011
NRU re-licensing – continue to implement the protocol for licensing renewal	2010-11
Review Environmental Assessment Screening Report;	July 2010
Complete review and acceptance of Safety Factors Report;	October 2010
Deliver CNSC decision on Environmental Assessment approval;	November 2010
Review Global Assessment and Integrated Implementation Plan Submission.	January 2011
CNSC will ensure regulatory framework for facilities for isotope production is up-to-date, and provide guidance and assistance to potential proponents submitting applications for isotope production.	March 31, 2011
Licence reform
Apply new licence format for nuclear power plants.	March 31, 2011

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity is central to meeting the CNSC's mandate, by ensuring that applicants for licenses and certificates fully meet the requirements of the NSCA and related legislation before they are permitted to engage in any activity with a nuclear component.

2.1.3 Program Activity: Compliance

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Program Activity: Compliance

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010-11		2011-12		2012-13
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
273	38,868	254	36,707	254	37,481
Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP)
-	1,000

 

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
A high level of compliance by licensees with the regulatory framework	Frequency and severity rate of accidents	Targets set on an annual work planning basis
	Degree/level of reconciliation between Canada and other countries to nuclear inventories subject to bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs)	100%
	Adherence with Sealed Source Tracking requirements	All on time; 100% match with registry.
	Nuclear material "ledger" reconciliations between the CNSC and licensees	Identical inventory records on reconciliation of nuclear material.

Program Activity Description

The Compliance program is in place to ensure that CNSC licensees exhibit a high level of compliance with the CNSC's regulatory framework. This program enables the CNSC to provide regulatory assurance to Canadians of the continuing compliance and safety performance of licensees.

This program activity's funding is used for the promotion of compliance, safety culture and common safety values, compliance audits, inspections, and enforcement actions.

The following table aligns the Compliance Planning Highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Program Activity Summary and Planning Highlights

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Core regulatory operations
Deliver on baseline compliance.
Conduct inspections to verify, enforce, and report on compliance with licenses.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Commitment to ongoing improvements "Always room for improvements"
Strengthen the CNSC's inspector training process to ensure the CNSC is prepared to train the next generation of inspectors.	March 31, 2011
Strengthen the CNSC's inspection procedures to ensure there is a consistent approach to inspections of all nuclear facilities and activities.	March 31, 2011
Strengthen integration of operational experience feedback in our compliance activities.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Capacity for action "Ready to respond no matter the situation"
Laboratory project – continuous improvement
Modernization of CNSC laboratory for analytical and calibration services	March 31, 2011
Update risk-informed compliance approach.	March 31, 2011
Document standard approach to technical assessments.	March 31, 2011
Organizational Priority: Communications "Accurate, clear, concise, and timely"
Develop industry report for nuclear substance licensees.	March 31, 2011
Develop industry reports for nuclear cycle and facilities.	March 31, 2011

Benefits for Canadians

The CNSC can assure Canadians that its licensees are operating in compliance with their licences, regulations, and underlying legislation, as well as with bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements.

2.1.4 Program Activity: Internal Services

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Program Activity: Internal Services

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2010-11		2011-12		2012-13
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
242	44,438*	225	40,928*	225	41,917*

* Includes both Internal Services operating funds and CNSC's capital funding applicable to all Program Activities.

Program Activity Expected Results
Activities and resources administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations.

Program Activity Description

Internal services are activities and resources to enable and support program delivery and meet other corporate obligations of the Commission, as an agency of government.

These activities are: Management and Oversight (including Audits and Evaluations); Communications; Legal Services; Human Resources Management; Financial Management; Information Management; Information Technology; Real Property and Materiel Acquisition; Travel and Other Administrative Services.

Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across the organization and not to those provided specifically to a given program.

The following table aligns the Internal Services Planning Highlights with their corresponding organizational priorities, and presents the planned timeline for completion.

Program Activity Summary and Planning Highlights

Planning Highlights	Timeline for Completion
Organizational Priority: Capacity for action "Ready to respond no matter the situation"
Continue improvements to the Revenue Spending Authority Regime by introducing integrated reporting, more critical analyses and simplified costing methods.	Ongoing
Re-focus Human Resources activities (from recruitment) to retention and training in line with Employer of Choice efforts, specifically:
Retaining top talent by focusing on succession planning and career development;	March 31, 2011
Directing training efforts towards developing and implementing the CNSC Orientation Program, providing technical training (e.g., the Inspector Training and Qualification Program), and providing leadership development.	March 31, 2011
Focus Information Management and Technology capacity to deliver on key compliance and tracking deliverables, e-commerce, corporate reporting, and web communications.	March 31, 2011
Establish evaluation function
Includes development of evaluation plan.	March 31, 2011
Organizational Priority: Commitment to ongoing improvements "Always room for improvements"
Continue Service Level and Policy Improvements in support of Harmonized Plan.	March 31, 2011
Develop and enable Management Accountability Framework (MAF) Action Plan in response to Round VII Assessment.	March 31, 2011

Benefits for Canadians

The above profile of Internal Services reflects a structure applied across government to support a common government-wide approach to planning, design, budgeting, reporting and communications of government internal services.

The Internal Services enable public programs, as well as other internal services, to operate more efficiently and effectively.

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