Security

Nuclear security is a major consideration in all activities of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

CNSC is responsible for enforcing Canada's Nuclear Security Regulations, as enabled by the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

CNSC has worked closely with nuclear facility operators, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, international organizations, and other governmental departments to ensure that nuclear materials and facilities are adequately protected.

Nuclear security in Canada is aided by federal regulations which set out detailed security requirements for licensed nuclear facilities.

Following the events of September 11, 2001, CNSC took steps to enhance security at major nuclear facilities in Canada. In 2006, the Nuclear Security Regulations were amended to reflect these measures.

CNSC approach follows international physical protection best practices and standards recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency

Among the principal security requirements for major nuclear facilities in the amended Nuclear Security Regulations are:

  • Annual Threat and risk assessments
  • On-site armed response force at major nuclear facilities available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week
  • Enhanced security screening of employees and contractors involving background, police and security checks
  • Enhanced access control to nuclear facilities
  • Design basis threat analysis for nuclear facilities
  • Uninterrupted power supplies in place for alarm monitoring and other security systems
  • Contingency planning, drills and exercises

CNSC staff assess whether licensees meet the requirements of the Nuclear Security Regulations and the conditions of their specific licences through ongoing compliance verification activities. In addition, Canadian reactors are designed to shut down safely in the event of accidents or physical attacks.

CNSC monitors potential threats in collaboration with:

  • the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
  • the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  • Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
  • nuclear licensees
  • international agencies
  • other regulators, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of the United States.