Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission's decision to renew the waste nuclear substance licence held by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) for its Port Hope Long-Term Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Project (Port Hope Project) located in Port Hope, Ontario. The Commission renewed the licence for a period of 10 years.
The Port Hope Project is part of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) to manage the clean-up of historic low-level radioactive waste contamination in the municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington, Ontario. CNL is responsible for implementing the PHAI on behalf of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. The PHAI is being carried out in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe people. These lands are covered by the Williams Treaty between Canada and the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations.
This decision follows a public hearing held on November 22, 2022, in Cobourg, Ontario. As part of the licence renewal, the Commission is issuing a single licence, which consolidates licensed activities currently authorized under CNL's 4 waste nuclear substance licences associated with the PHAI. The renewed consolidated licence will be valid from January 1, 2023 until December 31, 2032, and it will allow CNL, under the PHAI, to continue the clean-up and management of historic low-level radioactive waste in the Municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington.
In making its decision, the Commission considered submissions from CNL, CNSC staff, and 28 intervenors. The CNSC made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program, and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders. A funding review committee, independent of the CNSC, reviewed the funding applications received and made recommendations on the allocation of funds. Based on the committee's recommendations, the CNSC awarded up to $36,320 to 4 applicants.
After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that CNL is qualified to carry on the activities that the renewed licence will authorize. It also concluded that CNL will continue to make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, and the health and safety of persons.
A summary record of decision is being issued at this time in light of the pending expiry of current PHAI licences. The summary reflects the substance of the Commission's decision with respect to this licence renewal and the applicable licence conditions. The detailed reasons for the Commission's decision and its assessment of all the submissions made in relation to the application will be provided in a detailed record of decision, to be published at a later date.
The summary record of decision is posted in both official languages at nuclearsafety.gc.ca
