Types of agreements
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) collaborates with domestic and international partners to support nuclear safety, regulatory cooperation, emergency preparedness and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. To formalize these partnerships, Canada enters into treaties and conventions. The CNSC signs instruments and arrangements with governments and organizations in Canada and around the world.
Types of instruments
Instruments may be legally binding or non-binding. While not all are enforceable under law, they represent formal commitments that clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations, and support the CNSC’s mandate. Some involve international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Legally binding agreements
These are international agreements that are enforceable under international law or through domestic legislation. These agreements:
- help Canada meet its international obligations
- may require implementation through the Nuclear Safety and Control Act or related legislation
- support cooperation with international partners and reflect Canada’s role in global nuclear safety and security
They include:
-
Nuclear cooperation agreements (NCAs):
Bilateral treaties that regulate the transfer and peaceful use of nuclear materials and technology between Canada and another country -
International nuclear legal framework and treaties::
Multilateral international agreements that strengthen global nuclear safety, security, safeguards and non-proliferation (e.g., Convention on Nuclear Safety, Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources)
Non-binding arrangements
These instruments and arrangements are not legally enforceable, but they represent formal commitments to cooperate. The CNSC uses them to support regulatory, scientific and technical collaboration, as well as to implement certain legally binding agreements, with partners in Canada and abroad, including Indigenous Nations and communities. They include:
-
Memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and memoranda of cooperation (MOCs):
Broad arrangements that outline cooperation on regulatory, scientific or operational matters -
Administrative arrangements (AAs):
Instructions for implementing NCAs and which define procedures and identify working-level government authorities -
Letters of agreement and understanding (LOAs/LOUs):
Informal or narrowly focused arrangements that document intent to collaborate on specific topics -
Engagement protocols with Indigenous Peoples:
Co-developed frameworks for ongoing engagement that include an annual work plan
These instruments and arrangements are made under the authority of section 21(1)(a) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, which permits the CNSC to enter into cooperative arrangements to support its mandate.
At-a-glance comparison
This table summarizes the types of agreements and arrangements used by the CNSC and indicates whether they are legally binding and their general purpose.
| Instrument type | Legally binding | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear cooperation agreements | Yes | Facilitate peaceful nuclear trade between Canada and foreign countries |
| International nuclear legal framework and treaties | Yes (when ratified) | Global nuclear safety, security, safeguards and non-proliferation |
| MOUs/MOC/AAs | No | Formalize domestic or international cooperation |
| AAs | No | Establish instructions to implement NCAs |
| LOAs/LOUs | No | Narrow-scope collaboration or informal commitments |
| Engagement protocols | No | Ongoing engagement framework |
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