Commission public hearing information: Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Licence Renewal and Refurbishment

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) will hold a 2-part public hearing on June 23, 2026, and the week of October 5, 2026. This hearing is to consider an application from Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to renew the power reactor operating licence of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS) and its waste facility operating licence for the Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF) for a 10-year period. During the hearing, the Commission will also consider the proposed refurbishment of PNGS Units 5 to 8.

Both facilities are located at the Pickering nuclear site in Ontario, on the traditional lands and waters of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg, the Gunshot Treaty (1788), the Williams Treaties (1923), and the Williams Treaties Settlement Agreement (2018).

OPG’s current power reactor operating licence for the PNGS and waste facility operating licence for the PWMF are valid until August 31, 2028. OPG is currently authorized to operate Units 5 to 8 until December 31, 2026.

As part of its application, OPG is seeking to consolidate the licensed activities of the separate licences into a single Pickering power reactor operating licence.

Commission hearing overview

Part 1 – June 23, 2026

Part 2 - Week of October 5, 2026 – date(s) to be confirmed

Interventions and participant funding

Those with an interest or expertise in this matter are invited to submit an intervention for Part 2 of this Commission hearing. All interventions are due by August 12, 2026, and can be made by:

• using the online request form
• emailing the Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
• using the contact information in the questions or comments section

Please note that submitting a request to intervene in a Commission proceeding does not automatically grant intervenor status. The Registry will confirm if the Commission has accepted an intervention and the accepted format.

Participant funding was available to support interventions for this hearing. The deadline to apply was September 15, 2025.

Read general information about how you can observe and participate in CNSC hearings.

Licensed activities at Pickering

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is licensed to operate Units 5 to 8 at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS) until December 31, 2026, for up to a maximum of 305,000 equivalent full-power hours.

• Unit 1 was removed from service in October 2024.
• Unit 4 was removed from service in December 2024.
• Units 2 and 3 remain in safe storage.

At the PNGS, OPG also produces cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope used to sterilized medical equipment and food products.

OPG currently holds a 10-year operating licence for the Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF). This facility handles and stores used nuclear fuel and other radioactive material generated at the PNGS.

• February 25, 2025: Record of decision: Application to extend the operation of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Units 5 to 8 until December 31, 2026

CNSC regulatory oversight

The CNSC carries out licensing and compliance verification activities to evaluate OPG on its safety performance and adherence to regulatory requirements for all licensed facilities and activities. CNSC staff assess compliance and program expectations in areas such as:

• human performance
• radiation and environmental protection
• emergency management
• fire protection

CNSC staff have assessed OPG’s application, supporting documentation, and performance during the current licence period and are satisfied that OPG is qualified to carry out the activities authorized in the proposed operating licence in accordance with regulatory requirements. The Commission will consider CNSC staff’s recommendations when making its decision.

CNSC licensing process and timeline

A licensing timeline for the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station is available in the Major project licensing timelines report.

The CNSC’s licensing process includes many steps and activities. It is designed to ensure that nuclear projects in Canada are carried out safely and securely.

Indigenous consultation and engagement

The CNSC is committed to establishing strong relationships through consistent, meaningful consultation and engagement with Indigenous Nations and communities.

As part of the Commission hearing, the Commission must decide, based on all information and evidence brought before it, whether OPG’s application raises the duty to consult and accommodate and if so, whether this duty has been satisfied. To assist the Commission in deciding on the adequacy of consultation the Commission may rely on the following:

• consultation undertaken by CNSC staff, as well as the opportunities for Indigenous Nations and communities to make submissions directly to the Commission and to participate in the hearing process, as a key component of the consultation process
• engagement work done by OPG, including with respect to avoidance, mitigation or other measures adopted or proposed by OPG for potential accommodation purposes
• the requirements and guidelines outlined in the CNSC’s REGDOC-3.2.2, Indigenous Engagement

This does not mean that the consultation undertaken by CNSC staff stops or is replaced by OPG’s engagement. Rather, consultation by CNSC staff and engagement by OPG continue concurrently.

Learn more about Indigenous consultation and engagement and funding programs.

Public hearing documents

The following documents are related to the public hearing for OPG’s current application and activities:

OPG’s application

• Renewal application for Pickering Nuclear Generating Station power reactor operating licence and Pickering Waste facility operating licence
• Ontario Power Generation - Supplementary information to the application: Update on Indigenous engagement activities

Hearing-related documents

• Revised notice of public hearing
• Public Commission hearing documents (Part 1) Download hearing documents
• Public Commission hearing documents (Part 2) will be available closer to the hearing date
• Record of decision: will be available once the Commission has made its decision. It will outline the issues, findings and conditions of the decision.

Questions or comments

For further information on the public Commission hearing process or to request documents, contact the Commission Registry by:

• Email: interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
• Telephone: 343-542-8587

If you have a general inquiry or question about the CNSC’s regulatory oversight of Ontario Power Generation, contact us by:

• Email: info@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
• Telephone: 613-947-7516 or 1-800-668-5284 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.)

If you are a member of the media, please contact:

Media Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Tel: 613-996-6860
Email: media@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca