December 16, 2024 – Ottawa

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to renew the decommissioning licence held by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ltd. (CNL) for a 3-year period for its Whiteshell Laboratories site. The Whiteshell Laboratories site is located approximately 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, near the town of Pinawa, Manitoba, and on the homeland of the Red River Métis, Treaty 1 and Treaty 3 territories and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Ojibway Peoples. The Whiteshell Laboratories site is also located in the vicinity of Treaty 5 territory.

In making its decision, the Commission considered written submissions from CNL, CNSC staff and 11 intervenors. The Commission concluded that CNL remains qualified to carry on the activities that the renewed licence will authorize. The decision includes a new licence condition requiring CNL to report on its progress in implementing its integrated assessment plan at Whiteshell Laboratories. There are no changes to CNL’s licensed activities under the renewed licence.

The record of decision is available upon request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decision will also be posted in both official languages on the CNSC website at cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca at a later date. All submissions are available on the CNSC website.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.

Timeline

• In November 2023, CNL submitted an application to renew its decommissioning licence for a period of 3 years.
• On March 4, 2024, the Commission published the notice of public hearing and participant funding for this matter.
• The Commission held a virtual public hearing on October 23, 2024, and heard evidence and submissions from CNL, CNSC staff and 11 intervenors.
• The renewed licence is valid until December 31, 2027.

Quick facts

• Whiteshell Laboratories operated for approximately 40 years before decommissioning of the site began in 2003.
•  Whiteshell Reactor 1 operated from 1965 to 1985 and is currently in storage with surveillance.
• The SLOWPOKE Demonstration Reactor operated from 1989 to 1990 and is partially decommissioned.
• The CNSC monitors all nuclear licensees for regulatory compliance to ensure the safety of workers, the public and the environment.

Related links

Contact

Media Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Tel: 613-996-6860

Email: media@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca