ARCHIVED - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - Report

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page

This page has been archived.

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

Program Activity: Regulatory Framework

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
103	19,083	103	18,663	103	18,989

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
A clear and pragmatic regulatory framework.	Satisfaction levels of stakeholders across key performance areas.	Target: Increasing trend in survey results over a three-year period, stable thereafter.
	Number of legal challenges to the regulatory framework.	Target: 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 elements of the regulatory framework (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 and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

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
Continue modernization of the Regulatory Framework with respect to new major projects such as nuclear power plants and uranium mines: Licence Application Guide for Uranium Mines and Mills.	June 2012
Establish and implement Administrative Arrangements (AAs), pursuant to Canada’s bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs) to respond to changes in international nuclear trade and to enhance effectiveness in implementation of export and import licensing controls:
Negotiate and implement amendments to existing bilateral NCAs and AAs (Euratom, China); and Negotiate and implement new bilateral AAs (India, Kazakhstan, others pending).	Expected completion by March 31, 2012.
Negotiate and implement bilateral harmonization AAs with countries that import Canadian-origin category 1 and 2 radioactive sources (India, Russia, Latin America).	Make substantive progress in 2012.
Organizational Priority: Commitment to ongoing improvements “Always room for improvements”
Continue to work with Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) partners to coordinate regulatory review processes related to major nuclear projects.	Ongoing
Implement the strategy for a renewed CNSC Research Program.	December 31, 2011
Continue to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to streamline the amount of verification effort in Canada.	Ongoing
Undertake preparations for the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission in November 2011.	March 31, 2012
Organizational Priority: Clarity of requirements “So everyone understands the rules”
Complete the Regulatory Framework Plan initiatives scheduled for 2011-12, including:
Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations Amend regulations to exempt certain substances and devices from the packaging and transport provisions of the regulations; Target: Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, Q1 FY 2011-12.	June 30, 2011
Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations Amend regulations to align requirements with current IAEA recommendations; Target: Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, Q2 FY 2011-12.	September 30, 2012
Initiate review of and amendments to CNSC Cost Recovery Fees Regulations (2003).	March 31, 2013
Implement strategy for waste management regulation, including tailings management.	March 31, 2012
Organizational Priority: Communications “Accurate, clear, concise and timely”
Strengthen stakeholder engagement and outreach strategy: Conduct public opinion research to establish a baseline of current public and stakeholder perceptions about the CNSC against which to evaluate the effectiveness of information dissemination; and Present CNSC 101 to communities hosting nuclear facilities and to communities where nuclear facilities are being proposed.	December 31, 2011
Continue improving accessibility of information about the CNSC and its work: Strengthen audio and video components of the CNSC’s Web pages; and CLF – Visually impaired enhanced access.	Ongoing

Benefits for Canadians

The CNSC maintains an evergreen assessment of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA), 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 efficiencies.

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. An informed and engaged public is an important element of an open and balanced review process, and strengthens the quality and credibility of regulatory reviews and subsequent decisions.

Regulatory Framework – The Bottom Line

The Regulatory Framework Program Activity results in a continuously reviewed, modern, transparent regulatory framework that is open and accessible to licensees and stakeholders, and that is focussed on nuclear safety and security, and on effectively implementing relevant international obligations.
No compromise.

2.1.2 Program Activity: Licensing and Certification

Program Activity: Licensing and Certification

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
191	24,788	191	24,093	191	24,408

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Individuals, organizations, and prescribed equipment that operate safely and comply with all regulatory requirements.	Number of licences and certificates issued as per service standards.	Target: Meet external performance standards.
	The CNSC publishes the annual results for a full suite of External Performance Standards related to Licensing, Certification, and Compliance. This additional performance information can be found online in the following CNSC reports: Annual Reports Departmental Performance Reports

Program Activity Description

The Licensing and Certification program is in place to issue licences or certify persons, organizations, and prescribed equipment for conducting 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 all regulatory requirements.

The CNSC undertakes this work to obtain assurance that nuclear activities and facilities in Canada are managed with adequate provision for protection of health, safety, security and the environment and the fulfillment of international 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
Conduct licensing and certification activities according to plans.	March 31, 2012
Conduct regulatory oversight of new major projects:
Conduct licence application assessment (including EAs) for new power reactor construction, new mines, and waste facilities;	March 31, 2012
Work to complete the Joint Review Panel (JRP) of the Darlington New Build;	Fall 2011
Begin the JRP of the Deep Geologic Repository (DGR);	March 31, 2012
Support the regulatory regime in Nunavut and in Labrador; and	March 31, 2012
In collaboration with the MPMO, the CNSC will be conducting comprehensive studies on the Millennium and Midwest mines as part of the initial licensing stages.	March 31, 2012
Undertake regulatory reviews of applications for licence renewals including:
Gentilly-2 (Commission Hearing);	April 2011
Chalk River Laboratories/National Research Universal (NRU), (Commission Hearing); and	September 2011
Cameco’s Port Hope Conversion Facility (Commission Hearing).	December 2011
Continue regulatory oversight of the Port Hope Area Initiative: Hold hearings on release of hold points for Port Hope Area Initiative.	June 2011
Undertake regulatory reviews of applications for non-reactor production of medical isotopes: Canadian Light Source Project; and TRIUMF.	December 31, 2011
Organizational Priority: Commitment to ongoing improvements “Always room for improvements”
Strengthen the manner in which technical assessments are performed to ensure a consistent approach across all areas of the CNSC.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Clarity of requirements “So everyone understands the rules”
Continue pre-project vendor design reviews of: Enhanced Candu-6 (AECL – new nuclear power plant design).	March 2012
Develop Licence Condition Handbook for nuclear facilities (at each licence renewal): Point Lepreau.	March 2012
Organizational Priority: Capacity for action “Ready to respond no matter what the situation”
Provide regulatory oversight to life-extension projects: Continue the analysis of the research on aging of materials, new advanced methods of assessing nuclear power plant performance during postulated events, and requirements for modern Aging Management Programs.	Ongoing

Benefits for Canadians

This program activity is central to meeting the CNSC’s mandate by ensuring that applicants for licences and certificates fully meet the requirements of the NSCA and associated regulations before they are permitted to engage in any nuclear-related activity.

Applications for licences and certificates are scrutinized by CNSC staff who make sure that the proposed activities in question meet the regulatory requirements of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, its associated regulations and licences. A licence or certificate will only be issued once the CNSC is certain that licensees are prepared to meet all regulatory requirements.

Licensing and Certification – The Bottom Line

Licences and certificates will only be issued once the CNSC has determined that licensees are positioned to conduct their activities with the utmost attention to health, safety, security, protection of the environment and the requirements of relevant international obligations.
No compromise.

2.1.3 Program Activity: Compliance

Program Activity: Compliance

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
245	36,674	245	38,437	245	39,101

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
A high level of compliance by licensees with the regulatory framework.	Degree/level of reconciliation between Canada and other countries to nuclear inventories subject to bilateral Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs).	Target: 100% of Annual Inventory Reports received from foreign bilateral counterparts are reviewed annually and inventory reconciliation issues identified and addressed.
Nuclear substances, equipment and technology exported from Canada remain in peaceful use.	Effective enforcement actions taken on unauthorized exports/imports detained or seized at border points.	Target: 100% of detentions and seizures at border addressed through corrective actions.
	Adherence with Sealed Source Tracking requirements.	Target: 100% on time; 100% match with registry.
	Nuclear material “ledger” reconciliations between the CNSC and licensees.	Target: Identical inventory records on reconciliation of nuclear material.
	Frequency and severity rate of accidents.	Target: Zero.
	In addition to the above indicators, the CNSC publishes the annual results for a full suite of External Performance Standards related to Licensing, Certification, and Compliance. This additional performance information can be found online in the following CNSC reports: Annual Reports Departmental Performance Reports

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 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
Conduct inspections according to plans.	Ongoing
Undertake regulatory oversight of refurbishment projects: Gentilly-2 (work focussing on pre-refurbishment phases); Darlington (work focussing on pre-refurbishment phases); Point Lepreau (refurbishment underway); and Bruce A 1&2 (refurbishments underway).	Ongoing
Undertake regulatory oversight to support Canada’s obligations on the peaceful use of nuclear material, equipment and technology.	Ongoing
Implement the requirements of the Canada-IAEA Safeguards agreement and Additional Protocol.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Commitment to ongoing improvements “Always room for improvements”
Strengthen inspection procedures to ensure there is a consistent approach to inspection of all nuclear facilities and activities.	Ongoing
Continue to work with the IAEA to identify and implement more efficient approaches and procedures to improve safeguards efficiencies and maintain required levels of effectiveness, while reducing on-site effort by the IAEA, licensees and the CNSC.	Ongoing
Work with national and international partners to strengthen Canada’s counter-proliferation framework.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Clarity of our requirements “So everyone understands the rules”
Strengthen the CNSC’s intelligence network with all licensees.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Capacity for action “Ready to respond no matter what the situation”
Obtain industry standard certification for the CNSC Laboratory:
Phase 1: Lab calibration; and	2011-12
Phase 2: extension to the analytical lab.	2012-13
Organizational Priority: Communications “Accurate, clear, concise, and timely”
Continue promotion of the CNSC’s nuclear safety brand.	Ongoing

Benefits for Canadians

Through numerous inspections of nuclear facilities, activities and processes, as well as through the review of licensee reports, the CNSC continuously monitors the Canadian nuclear industry to make sure that licensees are operating safely, securely, and in compliance with the requirements set out in the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, its associated regulations, licences and certificates.

In cases of non-compliance, the CNSC will use various enforcement actions, in a graded approach, to ensure that licensees take corrective action and may, in certain situations, call licensees before the Commission. Enforcement actions taken by the CNSC can range from issuing a written notice for corrective actions for minor infractions to issuing orders, recommending licensing actions (including suspension and revocation) or withdrawal of certification or prosecution for more serious violations.

The CNSC regularly communicates the status of nuclear industry compliance to Canadians through reports published on its Web site. These reports cover a variety of topics related to the Canadian nuclear industry, including: uranium mining, radioactive releases, the safety performance of nuclear power facilities, and the tracking and reporting of lost or stolen sealed sources and radiation devices.

Compliance – The Bottom Line

The CNSC can assure Canadians that its licensees are operating safely and securely in compliance with their licences, certificates, regulations, and underlying legislation, as well as with international obligations and bilateral agreements, and that exports of nuclear substances, equipment and technology are used for peaceful purposes only.
No compromise.

A brief description of the main types of compliance activities conducted by the CNSC follows in the information box below:

2.1.4 Program Activity: Internal Services

Program Activity: Internal Services

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ thousands)
2011-12		2012-13		2013-14
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
236	37,719	236	38,519	236	39,216

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 that apply across the organization to support directly and indirectly 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.

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: Commitment to ongoing improvements “Always room for improvements”
Continue Service Level and Policy Improvements in support of Harmonized Plan: Streamline business processes (e.g., service level efficiency, CNSC coding structure, online travel); Implement the Internal Control Framework: Maximize Freebalance Functionality (Procurement/Contracting/Asset Management); and Develop an Investment Capital Plan.	March 31, 2012
Implement the Management Accountability Framework (MAF) Action Plan in response to Round VII Assessment.	March 31, 2013
Develop a Performance Management Framework for Internal Services.	March 31, 2012
Organizational Priority: Capacity for action “So everyone understands the rules”
Implement the Financial Guarantees strategy.	September 2011 and ongoing.
Continue improvements to the Revenue Spending Authority Regime through legislative changes, further reporting integration, more critical analyses and simplified costing methods.	Ongoing
Organizational Priority: Capacity for action “Ready to respond no matter what the situation”
Focus Human Resource activities on retention and training in line with Employer of Choice efforts, specifically: Support talent management through succession planning, performance management, and knowledge transfer activities; Provide learning activities to support technical, non-technical training and leadership development; Support a productive labour-management environnent; Implement a revised Job Evaluation Plan for CNSC staff; and Measure employee engagement through periodic polling and surveys.	March 31, 2012
Focus information management and technology efforts on the delivery of new solutions to support the regulatory activities of staff, licensees and stakeholders: Establish an integrated phased approach to ongoing technology investments through an updated three year IM/IT strategic plan.	March 31, 2012
Continue development of, and implement the evaluation function.	September 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.

At the CNSC, Internal Services is a key mechanism by which the organization becomes better at carrying out its mandate of ensuring the safety and security of the Canadian nuclear industry. This work includes, but is not limited to: making sure the CNSC attracts the right skill sets and provides the right training to its staff; keeping the finances in order; and maintaining up-to-date technology services, and the accessibility of sound legal counsel.

Internal Services – The Bottom Line

The Internal Services program activity results in an effective and responsibly managed organization well positioned to support the achievement of the CNSC’s strategic outcome.

• Previous Page
• Table of Contents
• Next Page