Supplementary Information Tables: 2025–26 Departmental Plan

Details on transfer payments

Research and Support Program stream (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 Contributions Program (the program which funds the three program streams mentioned in this section) are to enable the research, development and management of activities that contribute to the objectives of the Research and Support Program stream, to reduce uncertainties regarding health, safety, security and environmental issues.

Expected results: The immediate outcomes/results expected from the Research and Support Program stream are:

• high-quality expertise, advice and information on health, safety, security and environmental issues
• safety standards through transparent consultations with industry and other stakeholders
• other science-based views and interpretations of, or challenges to, information provided by applicants or CNSC staff
• increased information on health, safety, security and environmental issues
• enhanced staff knowledge and competence

The expected intermediate and final outcomes/results from the Research and Support Program stream are:

• safety standards for licensing and valid regulatory positions
• improved licensee understanding of CNSC positions and of public concerns
• protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment

Grants issued to achieve outcomes/results for research and support activities under the Research and Support Program stream are directly linked to the CNSC’s Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information Program. The expected result is to address gaps and uncertainties in the CNSCs regulatory knowledge base.

Recipients of grants will not be required to report on activities carried out or on the use of funding. However, for grants of higher materiality and risk, the CNSC may request that the recipient provide a final performance report on results achieved which is acceptable to the CNSC.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2014–15; there is an evaluation taking place in 2024–25.

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2034–35

General targeted recipient groups: Eligible recipients include:

• Canadian, foreign and multinational non-profit organizations
• Canadian and foreign academic institutions
• Canadian provincial, territorial, municipal and/or regional governments
• foreign government departments and agencies

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: Research grants do not have an external application process. Grants are planned internally based on CNSC needs, with links to CNSC research goals.

Research and Support Program stream (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 Contributions 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.

Expected results: The immediate outcomes/results expected from the Research and Support Program stream are:

• the identification of new or emerging regulatory issues in the areas of health, safety, security or the environment
• high-quality expertise, advice and information on health, safety, security and environmental issues
• safety standards through transparent consultations with industry and other stakeholders
• other science-based views and interpretations of, or challenges to, information provided by applicants or CNSC staff
• increased information on health, safety, security and environmental issues
• enhanced staff knowledge and competence

The expected intermediate and final outcomes/results from the Research and Support Program stream are:

• safety standards for licensing and valid regulatory positions
• improved licensee understanding of CNSC positions and of public concerns
•  protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment.

Contributions issued to achieve outcomes/results for research and support activities under the Research and Support Program stream are directly linked to the CNSC’s Scientific, Regulatory and Public Information Program. The expected result is to address gaps and uncertainties in the CNSCs regulatory knowledge base.

Recipients of contributions are required to submit to the CNSC progress and financial reports, and in the case of multi-year projects, an annual project report. Each project's project authority (CNSC staff member) is responsible for the continual monitoring of the contribution agreement. Project authorities must ensure that the progress of and work completed on the project reflect the agreed-upon terms throughout the life of the agreement. This regular monitoring and the associated project data collection provide core cumulative information on which a review of the effectiveness and the results obtained can be based. At the end of the agreement, project authorities complete a post-project evaluation that looks at various aspects of the outputs generated, including how the final results might be used by the CNSC.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2014–15; there is an evaluation taking place in 2024–25

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2034–35

General targeted recipient groups: Eligible recipients include:

• Canadian, foreign and multinational non-profit organizations
• Canadian and foreign academic institutions
• Canadian provincial, territorial, municipal and/or regional governments
• foreign government departments and agencies

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: Research contributions do not have an external application process. Contributions are planned internally based on CNSC needs, with links to CNSC research goals.

Participant Funding Program stream (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:

1. enhance the participation, consultation and engagement of Indigenous Nations and communities, the public, and not-for-profit organizations, as well as foster reconciliation with Indigenous Nations and communities, in relation to environmental assessments and Commission proceedings at the CNSC

2. help interested parties better understand technical information related to environmental reviews and licensing in order to bring valuable information to the CNSC through informed and topic-specific interventions and assist the Commission in making fully informed decisions

Expected results: Funding provided by the PFP is expected to:

• 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

The PFP tracks the number of Commission proceedings for which participant funding was made available to members of the public, Indigenous Nations and communities, and interested parties, with a target of 100%.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2014–15

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: No plan

General targeted recipient groups: Eligible recipients include individuals, Indigenous Nations and communities, landowners, incorporated not-for-profit organizations, or other interest groups who are able to demonstrate one of the following:

• a direct, local interest in the project
• Indigenous knowledge and/or local community insight
• interests in the impacts on treaty lands, settlement lands or traditional territories or related claims and rights
• ability to provide value-added information relevant to the CNSC’s mandate and the specific matter before the Commission

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: After each Commission proceeding at which participant funding was awarded, CNSC staff send a survey to all recipients to obtain their feedback on the PFP and how it can be improved. The survey results are then collected and reported on in recipient survey feedback notes, which influence how the program is delivered for future PFP opportunities.

The PFP is flexible and staff are always looking for ways to improve the program. For example, feedback on the PFP from recipients, including Indigenous Nations and communities, has resulted in the program expanding to fund additional activities such as public Commission meetings related to regulatory oversight reports, meetings with Indigenous communities, and Indigenous knowledge studies related to CNSC-regulated facilities and activities.

Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund stream (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:

1. develop and support the organizational capacity of Indigenous Nations and communities 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

2. collaborate with Indigenous Nations and communities 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

Expected results: Funding provided by the ISCF is expected to:

• 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 Nations and communities 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

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable – new program

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups:

Eligible recipients include:

• Indigenous peoples: This includes Indigenous Nations, communities, organizations, or groups that support multiple communities in regions with current or anticipated nuclear projects.
• Public stakeholders: This category covers non-governmental organizations, members of the public, and other entities with a direct interest in nuclear projects, facilities, and activities in Canada.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: Recipients will be asked to participate in a survey to provide feedback on their experience with the ISCF and how it can be improved. The survey results will be collected and reported on, which will influence how the program is delivered going forward.

Financial information (dollars)

Type of transfer payment	2024-25 forecast spending	2025-26 planned spending	2026-27 planned spending	2027-28 planned spending
Research and Support Program grant	75,000	75,000	75,000	75,000
Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund grant	200,000	600,000	600,000	600,000
Total grants	275,000	675,000	675,000	675,000
Research and Support Program contribution	2,350,835	2,016,866	1,712,841	1,512,841
Participant Funding Program contribution	1,400,000	2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Indigenous and Stakeholder Capacity Fund contribution	2,800,000	3,185,000	3,185,000	3,185,000
Total contributions	6,550,835	7,201,866	6,897,841	6,697,841
Total program	6,825,835	7,876,866	7,572,841	7,372,841