Commission public hearing information: Licence renewal application for Cameco Port Hope Conversion Facility

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) will hold a public hearing in November 2026. At this hearing, the Commission will consider Cameco Corporation’s application to renew the Class IB nuclear fuel facility operating licence for the Port Hope Conversion Facility (PHCF) for a period of 20 years.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission acknowledges that the PHCF lies within the traditional lands and waters of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg, the Gunshot Treaty (1787-88), the Williams Treaties (1923), and the Williams Treaties Settlement Agreement (2018). The facility is in Port Hope, Ontario, which is along the Northern shore of Lake Ontario, approximately 100 km East of Toronto.

Commission hearing overview

The public hearing will consider Cameco Corporation’s application to renew its Class IB nuclear fuel facility operating licence for the PHCF. The current licence, issued on March 1, 2017, expires on February 28, 2027. On September 29, 2025, Cameco applied to renew its licence for a 20-year period, with no changes to currently licensed activities.

CNSC staff will present a compliance assessment covering the current licence period (2017–25) and their recommendation on the renewal application. Cameco will also make a presentation.

Read the agenda.

Week of November 2, 2026

The hearing will begin at 9 am (ET) each day.

Join us in person: Town Park Recreation Centre: 62 McCaul Street, Port Hope, Ontario

Join online: www.cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

Interventions and participant funding

Those with an interest or expertise in this matter are invited to submit an intervention. All interventions are due by October 5, 2026, and can be submitted 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

Interventions may be made orally, either in-person or remotely. The request to intervene must include:

• a written submission of the comments to be presented to the Commission, including an appendix with all documents mentioned as references in the written submission
• the requester’s name, address, telephone number and email address

Participant funding was available to support interventions at this hearing. The deadline to apply was March 23, 2026.

Licensed activities at the Port Hope Conversion Facility

The PHCF processes uranium trioxide (UO₃) from the Blind River Refinery into both uranium dioxide (UO₂) and uranium hexafluoride (UF₆). The UO₂ is used to manufacture fuel for CANDU heavy water nuclear reactors in Canada, while the UF₆ is exported to companies around the world for enrichment and fabrication into fuel for light water nuclear reactors.

CNSC regulatory oversight

The CNSC carries out licensing and compliance verification activities to evaluate Cameco on its safety performance and adherence to regulatory requirements for its 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 Cameco’s application, supporting documentation, and performance during the current licence period and are satisfied that Cameco has operated safely 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 Cameco PHCF 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 and activities 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. This includes ensuring transparency, collaboration and fairness, and balancing the interests of proponents, licensees and potentially impacted Indigenous Nations.

The CNSC engaged with interest Indigenous Nations and communities to gather comments and feedback on the PHCF licence renewal. The CNSC has since notified interested or potentially impacted Nations and communities about the opportunity to participate in the upcoming licence renewal and remains open to hearing concerns or potential impacts pertaining to Indigenous rights from the ongoing operations of the PHCF.

Learn more about Indigenous consultation and engagement and funding programs.

Public hearing documents

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

Cameco’s application

• Application from Cameco Corporation to renew the Class IB Nuclear Fuel Facility Operating Licence for the Port Hope Conversion Facility for a period of 20 years
• Supplemental Letter - Application from Cameco Corporation to renew the Class IB Nuclear Fuel Facility Operating Licence for the Port Hope Conversion Facility for a period of 20 years

Hearing-related documents

• Notice of public hearing and participant funding

The 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 the Cameco PHCF, 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