Details on transfer payment programs

Research grant

Start date: FY 1984‒85

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grant (Research)

Type of appropriation: Annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Departmental result 1: The environment is protected from releases from nuclear facilities and activities. Departmental result 2: Canadians are protected from radiation resulting from nuclear facilities and activities.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The objectives of the Class Grants & Contribution Program are to enable the research, development and management of activities that contribute to the objectives of the Research and Support Program in order to reduce uncertainties regarding health, safety, security and environmental issues.

Results achieved: Addressed gaps and uncertainties in the CNSC’s regulatory knowledge base.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: N/A – no audits in 2023–24.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: N/A – no audits in 2023–24. An evaluation is next planned for 2024–25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: Research Grants do not have an external application process. Grants are planned internally based on CNSC needs with links to CNSC research goals.

Research contribution

Start date: FY 1984–85

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution (research)

Type of appropriation: Annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Departmental result 1: The environment is protected from releases from nuclear facilities and activities. Departmental result 2: Canadians are protected from radiation resulting from nuclear facilities and activities.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The objectives of the Class Grants & Contribution Program are to enable the research, development and management of activities that contribute to the objectives of the Research and Support Program in order to reduce uncertainties regarding health, safety, security and environmental issues.

Results achieved: Addressed gaps and uncertainties in the CNSC’s regulatory knowledge base.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: N/A – no audits in 2023–24.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: N/A – no audits in 2023–24. An evaluation is next planned for 2024–25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: Research contributions do not have an external application process. Research contributions are planned internally based on organizational needs, with links to CNSC research goals.

Participant Funding Program contribution

Start date: FY 2011–12

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution (Participant Funding Program)

Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates and cost-recovered through CNSC licensees

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Departmental result 4: Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, have meaningful information about, and the opportunity to participate in, the nuclear regulatory process.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The objective of the Participant Funding Program (PFP) is to:

• enhance Indigenous, public, and not-for-profit organization participation, as well as consultation, engagement, reconciliation, with Indigenous Peoples and the public, in environmental assessments and Commission proceedings at the CNSC
• help interested parties better understand technical information related to environmental reviews and licensing in order to bring valuable information to CNSC through informed and topic-specific interventions and assist the Commission in making fully informed decisions

Results achieved: The PFP achieved the following objectives:

• ensure that the knowledge and concerns of the public, Indigenous Nations and communities, and interested parties are heard and considered by the Commission
• provide opportunities to participate in CNSC regulatory processes to those who would not otherwise be able to do so
• bring value-added information to the Commission. Value-added information is new, distinctive and relevant information that contributes to a better understanding of the anticipated effects of a project

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: N/A – no audits in 2023–24.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: N/A – no evaluations in 2022–24.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: After each Commission proceeding at which participant funding is awarded, CNSC staff send surveys to all recipients to obtain their feedback on the PFP and how it could be improved. Results are analyzed and summarized through feedback notes from those who completed the survey. This feedback helps inform how the program is delivered for future PFP opportunities.

Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund grant and contribution

Start date: FY 2022‒23

End date: 2027–28

Type of transfer payment: Grant and contribution (Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund)

Type of appropriation: Annually through the Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24

Link to departmental result(s): Departmental result 4: Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, have meaningful information about, and the opportunity to participate in, the nuclear regulatory process.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The objectives of the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund (ISCF) are to:

• develop and support organizational capacity of Indigenous Peoples and public stakeholders to participate in and contribute to CNSC regulatory processes, programs, policies and initiatives prior to and throughout the lifecycle of nuclear facilities and activities in Canada
• collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and public stakeholders in order to build relationships and trust with the CNSC and better incorporate Indigenous and local knowledge, traditional laws, processes, and perspectives into the CNSC’s regulatory processes and initiatives

Results achieved: The ISCF achieved the following objectives:

• increase capacity to participate in CNSC regulatory processes, policy reviews, programs and initiatives
• increase awareness of the CNSC and its role as Canada’s nuclear regulator
• increase collaboration between the CNSC and Indigenous Peoples and public stakeholders
• enhance opportunities for participation, consultation, and engagement in environmental reviews and in public Commission proceedings
• enhance information to the Commission as part of Commission proceedings.

Findings of audits completed in 2023–24: N/A – no audits in 2023–24.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24: N/A – no audits in 2023–24. An evaluation is planned for 2025-26.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24: To further enhance its commitment to excellence, the CNSC endeavours to increase satisfaction with its regulatory processes and engagement activities, aligning with the program’s objectives. Through rigorous evaluation and direct feedback from recipients on their experience with the ISCF and how it can be improved, the CNSC continuously refines its funding program to ensure effective delivery and performance. Results are collected and reported on through quarterly surveys sent to funding recipients.

Financial information (dollars)

Type of transfer payment	2021–22 actual spending	2022–23 actual spending	2023–24 planned spending	2023–24 total authorities available for use	2023–24 actual spending (authorities used)	Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned)
Research & Support Program	63,000	69,581	75,000	74,131	74,131	869
Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund	0	0	300,000	83,940	83,940	216,060
Total grants	63,000	69,581	375,000	158,071	158,071	216,929
Research & Support Program	1,809,949	2,116,006	2,212,841	2,069,587	2,069,587	143,254
Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund	0	0	2,020,000	1,760,068	1,760,068	259,932
Participant Funding Program	1,042,518	2,142,686	2,265,000	1,817,901	1,817,901	447,099
Total contributions	2,852,467	4,258,692	6,497,841	5,647,556	5,647,556	850,285
Total program	2,915,467	4,328,273	6,872,841	5,805,627	5,805,627	1,067,214

Explanation of variances

In 2022–23, the CNSC received funding through the Impact Assessment Renewal Initiative, which includes grants and contributions funding for the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund. As the funds were received at the end of the fiscal year, there were no 2022–23 expenditures for ISCF funding. The ISCF variances for 2023–24 are attributable to the terms and conditions being implemented part way through the fiscal year.
The variance in the Participant Funding Program (PFP) is attributable to some projects and processes tied to the funding agreements being delayed and moved to fiscal year 2024–25.