New nuclear projects

The Commission makes independent, objective and transparent decisions on the licensing of new nuclear facilities. See the licensing process for Class IA facilities (reactor facilities) for more information.

Vendor design review

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) offers an optional pre-licensing vendor design review (VDR) for vendors of reactor designs to enhance regulatory predictability. A VDR:

• takes place prior to the licensing process
• provides an early opportunity for vendors to engage with the CNSC and to clarify regulatory requirements and expectations for their designs
• does not result in any decision by the Commission under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA)
• is cost-recovered from the vendor under the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations (Part 5, Special Project Fees)

A list of the current vendor design reviews between vendors and the CNSC are available on the Vendor design review page.

For more information on VDRs, see REGDOC-3.5.4, Pre-Licensing Review of a Vendor’s Reactor Design, and the CNSC vendor design review web page.

New reactor and power plant projects

There are several new reactor and power plant projects underway that are regulated by the CNSC, including small modular reactors (SMRs). See the New reactor and power plant projects page.

Licensing process for Class IA facilities

All reactor facilities are Class IA facilities under the Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations.

These reactor facilities include:

• new reactors and SMRs
• research reactors
• prototype new reactor (fission or fusion) designs for the purpose of gathering scientific knowledge
• reactor (fission or fusion) facilities of all sizes used for commercial purposes

For information about the licensing process for new nuclear facilities, see REGDOC-3.5.1, Licensing Process for Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills.

The Commission is the CNSC’s decision-making body. It makes licensing decisions covering the entire lifecycle of a facility, from initial application to abandonment.

In making its decisions, the Commission considers:

• regulatory requirements
• analyses and recommendations from CNSC staff based on their assessment of both licensee and stakeholder submissions to the Commission
• best available information arising from regulatory research or credible research by third parties
• public input
• environmental assessments

Regulatory framework

The CNSC’s regulatory framework includes guidance for applicants or licensees on how to:

• meet requirements
• elaborate further on requirements
• provide information on best practices

An applicant or licensee may also present a case to demonstrate that the intent of a requirement is addressed by other means. The CNSC sets requirements and provides guidance on how to meet them. This must be backed by supporting evidence.

CNSC staff will consider CNSC guidance when evaluating the adequacy of any case submitted.

If CNSC staff accept such a case, it does not mean that the requirement is waived. This indicates that the regulatory framework provides flexibility for licensees to propose alternative means of achieving the requirement’s intent. The Commission is always the final authority that determines if the requirement has been met.

Licence applications under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act

The CNSC has developed licence application guides. These guides set out requirements and guidance for submitting a formal application to the CNSC.

The application is intended to obtain the various licence types in Canada including a licence for reactor facilities. The licence for reactor facilities includes SMRs in Canada.

The licence application guides also identify the information that should be included in an application.

Applicants who wish to carry out licensed activities are expected to use the following licence application guides. These guides point to key regulatory documents by relevant activity.

• REGDOC-1.1.1, Site Evaluation and Site Preparation for New Reactor Facilities
• REGDOC-1.1.2, Licence Application Guide: Licence to Construct a Reactor Facility
• REGDOC-1.1.3, Licence Application Guide: Licence to Operate a Nuclear Power Plant

REGDOC-1.1.5, Supplemental Information for Small Modular Reactor Proponents, is a new regulatory document. It is meant to be used in conjunction with the 3 documents above. They set out requirements and guidance for an applicant to consider prior to submitting a licence application to the CNSC for a small modular reactor.

REGDOC-1.1.5 also identifies the CNSC’s considerations in assessing the adequacy of a licence application.

Licensed activity	Regulatory document	Applicant must demonstrate
Site preparation	REGDOC-1.1.1	Suitability of the proposed site for the construction and operation of the nuclear facility. This takes into account the activities involved in preparing the site (for example, land clearing and building services requirements). Adequate consultation with stakeholders and consideration of their views (potentially affected public, Indigenous groups, etc.)
Construction	REGDOC-1.1.2	Proposed facility design conforms to regulatory requirements and will provide for safe operation over the proposed life of the plant Responsibility for all activities pertaining to design, procurement, manufacturing, construction and commissioning Note: When applying for a licence to construct (LTC), a preliminary safety analysis report (PSAR) is required under paragraph 5(f) of the Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations. The PSAR must include: the deterministic safety analysis a probabilistic safety assessment a hazards analysis Before CNSC staff can begin assessing the PSAR, design information as specified in paragraphs 5(a), (b), (d), (e) and (g) of the Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations must also be submitted.
Operation	REGDOC-1.1.3	Appropriate safety management systems, plans and programs have been established Outstanding issues from the construction stage have been resolved

Environmental reviews

The CNSC has a legislated mandate under the NSCA to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials. This is done to protect health, safety, security, and the environment. The CNSC considers and evaluates the potential environmental effects of all nuclear facilities or activities when making licensing decisions to meet this responsibility.

Proposed new nuclear facilities are subject to environmental protection provisions under the NSCA, as well as all other applicable federal, provincial, and/or territorial legislation, such as:

• the Impact Assessment Act
• the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012
• environmental assessment regimes led by other jurisdictions

These provisions are made in accordance with the CNSC’s current regulatory framework. This means that an evidence-based environmental technical assessment is performed on every proposed project under the NSCA, including new reactor facilities.

Visit the CNSC environmental protection page for more information.

Indigenous consultation and engagement

The CNSC ensures that all its licensing decisions and environmental reviews:

• uphold the honour of the Crown
• consider potential or established Indigenous or treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples pursuant to section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982

These include licensing decisions and environmental reviews under:

• the NSCA
• the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012
• the Impact Assessment Act
• other relevant legislation

Visit the CNSC Indigenous relations page for more information.