Scientific integrity and regulatory research

At the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), our research programs and initiatives help ensure that we integrate the best available science into our regulatory recommendations and decisions. The Research and Support Program is designed to provide CNSC staff with access to the external, independent advice, expertise and information needed to support the organization’s regulatory mission. The program funds agreements with the private sector, academic institutions, and governmental/non-governmental organizations in Canada and internationally through grants, contributions and contracts.

Scientific integrity in our research programs and initiatives

As the CNSC is an evidence-based regulator, maintaining integrity in the use of science is of the utmost importance to all CNSC staff and managers when making regulatory recommendations and decisions. At the CNSC, we are committed to maintaining integrity across all our science-informed activities, actions, recommendations and decisions, including in our research programs and initiatives. To this end, we:

• prohibit coercion, intimidation or reprisal with respect to differences of scientific or professional regulatory opinion
• will not knowingly accept data falsification, plagiarism or the dissemination of inaccurate information
• ensure that our regulatory decisions, guidance and requirements are informed by science carried out by competent staff acting with honesty, integrity and objectivity

Guiding principles

We apply the following guiding principles across all our science-based work, including our research programs and initiatives:

• Rigour: We apply rigour in recording, analyzing, interpreting, reporting and publishing data and findings.
• Record keeping and data stewardship: We keep complete and accurate records of data, methodologies and findings, including graphs and images, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and use data for the purposes for which it was collected.
• Accurate referencing: We reference and, where applicable, obtain permission for the use of all published and unpublished work, including theories, concepts, data, source material, methodologies, findings, graphs and images.
• Authorship: We include as authors, with their consent, all those – and only those – who have made a significant contribution to, and who accept responsibility for, the contents of the publication or document.
• Acknowledgement: We appropriately acknowledge all those who have contributed to the findings, recommendations and decisions.

Evidence-based regulatory recommendations and decisions

In carrying out science-based work, CNSC staff must adhere to the CNSC's values and ethics framework and uphold the principles of honesty, integrity, objectivity and impartiality. All technical assessments, regulatory recommendations and decisions – including those based on results from CNSC research programs – are informed by science and are to be obtained and disseminated objectively and accurately. CNSC staff must:

• act with honesty, integrity and objectivity to ensure that high standards of impartiality and research ethics are upheld
• maintain  independence from third parties contracted to provide their scientific expertise and analysis by ensuring that clear roles and responsibilities are established and followed throughout the course of the contract
• not knowingly misrepresent, exaggerate or downplay areas of scientific uncertainty associated with regulatory decisions
• document their characterizations of evidence used in regulatory recommendations or decisions, justify any changes and ensure that they are reviewed by the originator
• identify, as early as possible, issues for which scientific evidence will be required in order to facilitate timely and informed regulatory recommendations or decisions
• provide assessment and strategies to inform regulatory recommendations or positions, as required

Conflicts of interest

When engaging in any science-based work, including research, CNSC staff must meet the highest standards of ethical behaviour, consistent with the CNSC's values and ethics framework, in order to maintain and strengthen public confidence in the organization’s ability to act in the public’s best interest and exercise regulatory responsibilities impartially. As per the CNSC’s Conflict of Interest Policy, when a conflict arises between private and public interests, CNSC staff are expected to take the necessary measures to ensure that the organization’s independence and the public interest are protected.

CNSC staff and managers must recuse themselves from participating in any work or activities in which they may have a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. Research program activities from which a staff member must recuse themselves if they have a conflict of interest include, but are not limited, to the following:

• reviewing research proposals for a person or institution seeking funding from a CNSC or Government of Canada grants and contributions program
• proposing a sole-source contract
• acting as a technical authority on a contract

Impartiality and independence of scientific inquiry

Our research activities, technical assessments and scientific analyses are conducted impartially and independently of political, institutional or third party influence.

Scientific work undertaken or funded by the CNSC will:

• be designed to objectively evaluate evidence
• consider reasonable alternative hypotheses, interpretations and methodologies
• ensure that research questions, study designs, assumptions and analytical approaches are scientifically justified and proportionate to the regulatory issue being assessed
• ensure that contractual, organizational or reputational considerations do not influence scientific conclusions or technical assessments

Transparency, reproducibility and external scrutiny

We are committed to ensuring that science used in regulatory recommendations and decisions is transparent, reproducible and open to external scrutiny, consistent with security, privacy, commercial confidentiality, and legal obligations.

To support this commitment, we will, where appropriate:

• publish or support publishing research methodologies, assumptions, models and technical bases used to support regulatory recommendations and decisions
• make scientific findings, supporting evidence and uncertainty analyses publicly accessible in a timely manner
• distinguish between empirical evidence, expert judgment, policy considerations and assumptions
• document and explain significant dissenting scientific or technical views considered during decision making
• be open to independent peer review and other forms of external scientific and technical scrutiny of research products, while recognizing that regulatory recommendations and decisions remain the responsibility of the CNSC and the Commission, as applicable
• disclose limitations, uncertainties, assumptions and knowledge gaps relevant to research conclusions