Details on transfer payment programs

Transfer payment program or funding agreement: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Class Grants and Contribution Program

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 and 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 2024–25: N/A – no audits in 2024-25.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: An evaluation was planned for 2024-25.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: Research grants do not have an external application process. Grants are planned internally based on CNSC needs and are linked 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 and 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 2024–25: N/A – no audits in 2024-25 

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: An evaluation was planned for 2024-25  

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: Research contributions do not have an external application process. Research contributions are planned internally based on CNSC needs and are linked 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: 2011–12 

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: Enhance individual, not-for-profit organization and Indigenous Nation and community participation in the CNSC’s environmental assessment and licensing processes for major nuclear facilities (e.g., uranium mines, nuclear power plants, nuclear substance processing facilities, or nuclear waste facilities)  

Results achieved: The Participant Funding Program (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 2024–25: N/A – no audits in 2024-25. 

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: N/A – no evaluations in 2024-25. 

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: 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 can be improved. These survey results are then collected and reported on in recipient survey feedback notes, which influence 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: 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 objectives of the Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund (ISCF) are as follows:   

• Develop and support the 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 life cycle of nuclear facilities and activities in Canada. 
• Ensure collaboration 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 provided to the Commission as part of Commission proceedings. 

Findings of audits completed in 2024–25: N/A – no audits in 2024-25. 

Findings of evaluations completed in 2024–25: N/A – no audits in 2024-25. An evaluation is planned for 2025-26. 

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2024–25: 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	2022–23 actual spending	2023–24 actual spending	2024–25 planned spending	2024–25 total authorities available for use	2024–25 actual spending (authorities used)	Variance (2024–25 actual minus 2024–25 planned)
Reseach & Support Program	69,581	74,131	75,000	75,000	57,683	17,317
Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity fund	0	83,940	600,000	600,000	192,025	407,975
Total grants	69,581	158,071	675,000	675,000	249,708	425,292
Reseach & Support Program	2,116,006	2,069,587	2,200,000	2,163,381	2,163,381	36,619
Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity fund	0	1,760,068	3,185,000	1,991,619	1,950,400	1,234,600
Total contributions	4,258,692	5,647,556	7,385,000	6,155,000	5,424,106	1,190,894
Total other transfer payments	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total program	4,328,273	5,805,627	8,060,000	6,830,000	5,673,814	2,386,186

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 (ISCF).  As the funds were received at the end of the fiscal year, there were no 2022-23 expenditures for ISCF funding.

The variances in the ISCF are attributable to funding increases from 2023-24 to 2024-25 ($300,000 to $600,000 for grants and $2,020,000 to $3,185,000 for contributions) in addition to funding extensions into fiscal year 2025-26 for certain recipients.

The variance in the Participant Funding Program (PFP) is attributable to some major projects and processes tied to the funding agreements being delayed and moved to fiscal year 2025-26.