International Committees and Groups

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) participates in a number of international committees and groups as well as international meetings and research projects committed to ensuring the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear materials and technology.

Membership and participation in these international activities ensures that CNSC's regulatory activities are consistent, as appropriate, with internationally agreed upon best practices and principles. It also ensures that CNSC guidance, policies and technical standards are current. Through CNSC's participation in various international nuclear fora, Canada's position on nuclear regulatory matters is heard.

CNSC participates with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in two multilateral nuclear export control mechanisms, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Zangger Committee, both of which Canada was a founding member. CNSC contributes technical and policy expertise in meetings and working groups of these committees to:

1. ensure that the guidelines established by these bodies relating to conditions of nuclear supply effectively address proliferation threats; and
2. ensure that the lists of controlled items take into account advances in nuclear and nuclear-related technology.

The implementation of CNSC's statutory responsibilities for the regulation of Canadian nuclear exports is consistent with the guidelines of these bodies.

CNSC also represents Canada, or participates on broader Canadian delegations, in a wide variety of relevant multilateral discussions, symposia and conferences that address such issues as:

• the physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities
• international transport of nuclear and other radioactive material
• nuclear safety
• radiation protection
• radioactive waste management
• nuclear safeguards
• nuclear regulation