Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Information Bulletins
Information Bulletin
12-04
January 26, 2012
Subject: View comments received on Discussion Paper DIS-11-01, Implementation of Financial Guarantees for Licensees
View [HTML version of DIS-11-01] [PDF version of DIS-11-01]
In March 2011, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) published DIS-11-01, Implementation of Financial Guarantees for Licensees, seeking public comments on the implementation of financial guarantees for Class II nuclear facilities and nuclear substances and radiation devices licensees. A financial guarantee is a tangible commitment by a licensee that funds will be available to safely dispose of nuclear substances at the termination of their licensed activities, including expired licences, ceasing of operations, or even bankruptcy. Through the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the CNSC has the authority to require licensees to provide financial guarantees.
The CNSC held workshops across the country to consult with licensees and the public on the CNSC’s initiative to implement these financial guarantees and the comment period closed on November 30, 2011. The CNSC received 87 separate written submissions raising various concerns regarding this initiative. Comments were submitted by a wide range of licensees representing medical facilities, universities, and industrial users of nuclear substances. Below, you will find a compilation of all written comments received during the consultation period.
In response to the concerns raised by those submitting comments, the CNSC is reviewing its proposed approach to implementing financial guarantees for Class II nuclear facilities and nuclear substances and radiation devices licensees. In doing so, the CNSC will consider modifications of or alternatives to the approach proposed in DIS-11-01, while respecting the need to ensure that Canadian taxpayers would not be burdened with the costs associated with a licensee’s inability to safely terminate their licensed activities, decommission their facility or dispose of their nuclear substances and devices.
Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor the CNSC Web site for developments on this matter.
View comments received
The comment period was March 3 to November 30, 2011. View Information Bulletin 11-05 for more information. The comments posted here are not the views or opinions of the CNSC. The comments are posted in the language in which they were submitted.
