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Updates on the Red Tape Review

Progress tracker for Red Tape Review initiatives

In July 2025, the Government of Canada launched an initiative to reduce regulatory red tape, including complicated or outdated processes; unnecessary, duplicative or overly burdensome rules; and inefficient or unpredictable regulatory administration or service delivery. Through this exercise, the government seeks to advance the modernization of the federal regulatory framework.

This page provides ongoing updates on the CNSC’s 2025 Red Tape Review initiative, including progress on reducing administrative burden and changes to regulatory requirements.

Modernizing regulations and regulatory frameworks

Initiative Status Details
  1. Review the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations as part of the broader Supply Chain Regulatory Review coordinated by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
 Ongoing, on target Expected to be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in spring 2027.
  1. Amend the Nuclear Security Regulations based on commitments in the Small Modular Reactor Action Plan

Complete

 Canada Gazette, Part II, published on Nov. 19, 2025
  1. Amend the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations and the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations

Complete

 Canada Gazette, Part II, published on October 8, 2025

Modernizing regulatory approaches and authorities

Initiative Status Details
  1. Modernize and streamline the CNSC regulatory framework, including shifting the approach to the review under broad safety and control areas (SCAs)
 Implementation phase

First review by SCA will be the REGDOC 2.13 series on import, export and safeguards.

Expected completion by Q4 2026/27.
  1. Develop an internal process guide (COMPLETE) and external policy (ONGOING) for the use of incorporation by reference
 Ongoing, on target Publication of external policy targeted for early 2026.
  1. Create a Regulatory Modernization Division (COMPLETE) and an overarching organization-wide regulatory modernization strategy (NEARING COMPLETION)
 Ongoing, on target Completion of a CNSC regulatory modernization strategy expected by Q1 2026/27, accompanied by a 2-year plan.

Modernizing regulatory development processes

Initiative Status Details
  1. Develop an internal REGDOC digital library
 Complete Completed in Q1 2025/26 through internal deployment of the Dx4 structured authoring and management tool.
  1. Eliminate the “feedback on comments period” during regulatory and REGDOC development
 Complete Completed in Q2 2025/26 and included a meeting with Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations to debrief on the new approach.
  1. Establish engagement meetings with regulated parties and other interested parties specifically on regulatory framework efficiencies
 Ongoing, on target

First meeting with industry took place in Sept. 2025, with a follow-up conversation in Dec. 2025.

Other engagement meetings are underway with nuclear substances licensees in the medical, industrial, academic and research, and commercial sectors to specifically focus on lifecycle licences, updating online forms, and reviewing processes to eliminate the need to request information already on file.

Collaborative roundtable open to the public planned for early 2026.

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