Shut-down and decommissioned reactors

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates nuclear reactors at every stage in their life cycle. This includes when they are shut down and during the phases of decommissioning.

Shut-down reactors

Canada has a variety of research and prototype power reactors that are no longer in use and have been shut down. These reactors are in a safe storage state and awaiting final decommissioning.

WR-1 research reactor

The WR-1 organically cooled research reactor located at Whiteshell Laboratories near Pinawa, Man., operated from 1965 until 1985. It was developed to explore the properties of a higher-temperature version of the Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) design. The reactor was used for nuclear fuel research and other research programs.

It is currently in safe storage, awaiting final decommissioning. Read more about Whiteshell Laboratories’ licensed activities.

NRX reactor

The NRX reactor at Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) was Canada's first large-scale research reactor and began operating in 1947. It played a major role in developing the CANDU reactor and was used for the testing of fuels and materials.

The NRX reactor was also used for nuclear physics research in support of the Canadian nuclear power program. It was shut down on January 29, 1992, after approximately 250,000 hours of operating time. The reactor is currently in safe storage, awaiting final decommissioning.

National Research Universal reactor

The National Research Universal reactor (NRU) at CRL, went into service on November 3, 1957. It produced medical isotopes and served a number of research and scientific roles for over 60 years. The NRU was permanently shut down on March 31, 2018.

The reactor will transition from operation to a permanent safe shutdown during the current 10-year licence period. It will then prepare for decommissioning.

MAPLE-1 and MAPLE-2 reactors

The MAPLE-1 and MAPLE-2 (Multipurpose Applied Physics Lattice Experiment) reactors at CRL were partially activated in 2000 for the purposes of medical isotope production. However, the reactors were never fully commissioned, and their development ended in 2008. Both reactors are in safe storage, awaiting final decommissioning.

Gentilly-1 Nuclear Generating Station

The Gentilly-1 Nuclear Generating Station in Bécancour, Que. operated intermittently from 1972 to 1978. A decommissioning program was initiated in 1984 to bring the facility to a safe, sustainable shutdown state. The site is now partially decommissioned and is licensed as a waste facility.

Nuclear Power Demonstration reactor

The Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) reactor in Rolphton, Ont., was Canada's first nuclear generating station and operated from 1962 until 1987. The site is now partially decommissioned and is licensed as a waste facility. Read more about NPD's licensed activities.

Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station

The Douglas Point Nuclear Generating Station in Kincardine, Ont., was Canada's first commercial-scale nuclear generating station. It was a prototype for today's larger nuclear power plants and operated from 1968 to 1986. The site is now partially decommissioned and is licensed as a waste facility. Read more about Douglas Point's licensed activities.

Decommissioned reactors

Fully decommissioned reactors in Canada include:

• the ZEEP and PTR reactors at CRL (Chalk River, Ont.)
• the SLOWPOKE reactors at:
  • Dalhousie University (Halifax, N.S.)
  • University of Toronto (Toronto, Ont.)
  • University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alta.)
  • Tunney’s Pasture (Ottawa, Ont.)
  • MDS Nordion (Kanata, Ont.)
  • Saskatchewan Research Council (Saskatoon, Sask.)