Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) protects the health, safety and security of Canadians as well as the environment, and respects Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
CNSC was established in 2000 under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources. The CNSC was created to replace the former Atomic Energy Control Board (AECB), which was founded in 1946. Licensees and organizations applying for licences are subject to many rules and regulations that make nuclear energy and materials safe. At the Commission Tribunal, public hearings are held about licensing decisions and they have meetings about the nuclear regulatory process.
Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the CNSC’s mandate involves four major areas:
- regulation of the development, production and use of nuclear energy in Canada to protect health, safety and the environment;
- regulation of the production, possession, use and transport of nuclear substances, and the production, possession and use of prescribed equipment and prescribed information;
- implementation of measures respecting international control of the development, production, transport and use of nuclear energy and substances, including measures respecting the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear explosive devices;
- dissemination of scientific, technical and regulatory information concerning the activities of CNSC, and the effects on the environment, on the health and safety of persons, of the development, production, possession, transport and use of nuclear substances.
For more information, consult the Commission’s website: