The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission evaluates licencee training programs.

The CNSC's Framework for Excellence is adopted as a foundation for success. The Framework has four pillars which provide the CNSC with the tools necessary for the maintenance of excellence and to provide Canada with one of the best nuclear regulators in the world: the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and Management Charter ; a strong and coherent strategic planning process; effective information and knowledge management; and a well-designed organizational structure.

The CNSC implements its Contaminated Lands Evaluation and Assessment (CLEAN) program. The program aims to develop and apply consistent and transparent CNSC regulatory control to sites where nuclear substances exceed the exemption quantities specified in the Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations . The Commission Tribunal grants temporary exemptions from licensing for all identified contaminated sites until the appropriate regulatory control for those sites is determined.

The Government of Canada launches the Port Hope Area Initiative, a community-initiated project to clean and safely manage low-level radioactive waste in the Port Hope community. The waste resulted from radium and uranium refining that took place from the 1930s to the 1960s.

The CNSC establishes and begins to implement a framework to manage and monitor international undertakings. The framework will help ensure that international undertakings and activities correspond to the CNSC mandate, and that they are prioritized and performed effectively and efficiently.

Ms. L.J. MacLachlan is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Tribunal and serves until January 8, 2003.

With the Nuclear Safety and Control Act coming into force, Canada's nuclear regulator, the CNSC, assumes enhanced regulatory power to protect the environment. In 2000–2001, a key step in enhancing environmental protection involves establishing a firm regulatory foundation. A regulatory policy, Protection of the Environment (P-223), is finalized in February 2001 to clarify the CNSC's expectations of licensees.

The Office of Regulatory Affairs is created to enhance the CNSC’s effectiveness and efficiency, and the Office of International Affairs is created to strengthen the CNSC's international nuclear non-proliferation and safeguards activities.

Bruce Power takes over the Bruce site on May 12. A decision is made to proceed with a two-year project to restart Units 3 and 4 of Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station. More stringent security measures, including the incorporation of a rapid-response, armed security force, would be introduced after terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11. In November, Bruce Power wins the Gold Award for Excellence and Innovation from the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships and in December wins the Financial Times Global Energy Award for Successful Investment Decision of the Year.

Researchers at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory announce the first official results of their experiment: The type of neutrinos created in the sun have a mass and can change from one variety to another in their journey to Earth.

The CNSC restructures its Secretariat and separates it from the CNSC staff organization in order to improve the independence of and support for the Commission Tribunal.

The Commission Tribunal issues an emergency order to all nuclear reactor facilities to increase their security. Major nuclear facilities are immediately instructed by the CNSC to initiate enhanced security measures at their sites including perimeter security and armed guards. The Nuclear Security Regulations are subsequently enacted in 2003.

British Energy and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. sign an agreement to conduct a feasibility study on CANDU technology as a potential nuclear power station option in the UK.

The Honourable Harbance (Herb) Dhaliwal, Minister responsible for nuclear matters, January 2002 – December 2003

After 22 years of mining, Saskatchewan's Cluff Lake operation ceases operation with a total production of 136.4 million kilograms.

The CANDU Owners Group declares Units 6 and 7 of the Bruce B Nuclear Generating Station the top performing CANDU reactors in the world for the previous year's production. On May 1, Ontario's electricity market opens to competition. British Energy begins to divest its North American assets, which provides an opportunity for TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. and BPC Generation Infrastructure Trust to join Cameco, the Power Workers' Union and The Society of Energy Professionals in a revised Canadian-based Bruce Power partnership. Ontario Energy Minister John Baird visits Bruce Power to tour the site and officially open the Huron Wind farm.

The CNSC approves a licence application for the Cigar Lake Mining Corporation joint venture for the Cigar Lake uranium deposit.

The CNSC issues a uranium mine site preparation licence to COGEMA Resources Inc. for the Midwest Project in northern Saskatchewan's Athabasca region. The project had not proceeded beyond initial test mining during the late 1980s, and COGEMA continues maintaining the site as authorized under a former AECB licence.

Dr. J. Moyra J. McDill is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Commission Tribunal for a term ending March 4, 2014.

Dr. J.A. Dosman is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Tribunal and serves until December 29, 2003.

The Nuclear Power Demonstration reactor is designated a provincial heritage site by the Ontario Heritage Foundation.

Electricity demand in Ontario reaches a new peak of 25,496 MW.

The CNSC launches its first Government On-Line service, enabling 300 Canadian hospitals and clinics in the nuclear medicine community to conduct business with the CNSC electronically.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is established under the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act to investigate approaches for long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel. It will have three years to submit its recommendations to the Government of Canada on a proposed long-term approach.

The scope of the CNSC’s regulatory mandate for nuclear security expands significantly in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. A comprehensive review of all nuclear facilities is undertaken using a risk-based approach and results in dividing nuclear facilities into three risk-related categories: Category 1, nuclear generating stations and certain research facilities; Category 2, fuel fabrication and radioisotope processing facilities, and uranium refineries and mills; Category 3, hospitals and universities.

The CNSC initiates a project to amend Canada’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations . Updated regulations will ensure that a primary statutory mechanism to fulfill Canada’s bilateral and multilateral international commitments on non-proliferation and safeguards is both comprehensive and current.

The CANDU units in China are delivered four months ahead of schedule and under budget. The project holds the record for the shortest construction schedule ever accomplished for a nuclear power plant in China.

The CNSC grants a nuclear research and test establishment decommissioning licence to AECL for Whiteshell Laboratories, allowing the facility to be Canada’s first licensed nuclear site to be decommissioned. The licence authorizes the first phase of decommissioning and the continuation of limited research programs.

Refueling begins on Unit 4 of Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station as work to restart Bruce A continues. (Source: Bruce Power)

The CNSC participates in the development and passage of Bill C-4 to amend the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) to change the liability for cleanup of contaminated land, and the bill receives royal assent on February 13. Revisions to the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations and Nuclear Security Regulations also progress significantly during the reporting period. CNSC staff continues to review the NSCA to ensure the ability to respond to security challenges.

A Canadian-based consortium officially joins Bruce Power L.P. The consortium also acquires a 50% interest in Huron Wind – now in service with five 1.8-MW turbines – and a small interest in General Hydrogen Corporation in British Columbia. (Source: Bruce Power)

CNSC President Linda J. Keen is elected President of the International Nuclear Regulators Association. (Source: CNSC)

TThe CNSC submits its first national report to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management. Canadian spent fuel and radioactive waste activities not only meet the requirements of the Joint Convention but are acknowledged and commended by contracting parties. Canada’s participation contributes to the safe management of global spent fuel and radioactive waste.

The CNSC, with the approval of the Governor in Council, replaces its Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations . The CNSC first introduced licence fees in 1990. Licence fees are now charged according to these new fee regulations, and the CNSC equitably recovers the actual cost of regulating the nuclear industry. (Source: Justice Canada)

Unit 8 of Bruce B Nuclear Generating Station ends a run of 476 continuous days of operation for an outage on June 7.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission replaces its Cost Recovery Fees. The CNSC first introduced licence fees in 1990. The CNSC replaced its CNSC Cost Recovery Fees Regulations on July 1, 2003. Licence fees are now charged according to these new fees regulations, and the CNSC equitably recovers the actual cost of regulating the nuclear industry. (Source:  Justice Canada)

The Bruce Technical Skills Training Centre is opened in a partnership between Bruce Power and the Power Workers’ Union.

CNSC President Keen is appointed to the U.S.–Canada Power System Outage Task Force, which investigates causes of the August 14 blackout and makes recommendations for preventing similar situations in the future. (Source: CNSC)

A power failure causes the largest grid blackout in North American history. Units 5, 7 and 8 of Bruce B Nuclear Generating Station stay online to help to restore power for Ontario. On August 16, Ontario Premier Ernie Eves travels to Bruce Power to thank staff for their "excellent job". On the same day, with restart imminent, a community celebration is held on the beach in Saugeen Shores. More than 7,000 people enjoy food and entertainment. (Source: Bruce Power)

Through its Directorate of Nuclear Substances Regulation, CNSC staff produce the DNSR Task Force on Regulatory Review of Field Operations, Final Report , which leads to significant changes in the regulation of sealed nuclear sources.

Unit 4 of Pickering A Nuclear Generating Station begins operations. This is the first of four reactors laid up in 1997 to return to service. (Source: Bruce Power)

The CNSC and its Swedish counterpart donate a pre-production model of the Digital Cerenkov Viewing Device to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The device, developed by the CNSC's Canadian Safeguards Support Program, is used to verify that tampering of spent nuclear fuel has not taken place. (Source: International Atomic Energy Agency)

The CNSC and Environment Canada sign a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to collaborate on environmental regulation of nuclear facilities. This agreement is created to minimize regulatory duplication and to comply with a federal policy requiring departments to coordinate activities.

Unit 4 of Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station is synchronized to the grid. (Source: Bruce Power)

The CNSC proposes amendments to the Nuclear Security Regulations to strengthen the overall security at nuclear facilities. Canadians, as well as the international community, can be assured that Canadian nuclear facilities and nuclear substances are well protected, in accordance with international physical protection practices and standards recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Honourable John Efford, Minister responsible for nuclear matters, December 2003 – September 2005

Amendments to the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations (PTNSR) and the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations (GNSCR) are approved. The amendments update PTNSR references to IAEA regulations and introduce new packaging requirements.

The International Atomic Energy Agency publishes the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources , establishing guidance requirements for a harmonized national and international system of control over safety and security of radioactive sources. Canada is among the first countries to commit to implementing this Code, which the CNSC participated in developing.

The CNSC grants a licensing exemption to approximately 80 idle uranium mines throughout Saskatchewan, Ontario and the Northwest Territories that are administered under federal mining or lands management legislation. These mines did not have milling operations on site. They are therefore similar to conventional mines since they have no associated uranium tailings.

A planned Vacuum Building outage at Bruce B Nuclear Generating Station takes all four units off line B, but they are returned to service on schedule on October 13. Bruce Power announces a $500,000 donation for diagnostic equipment at Southampton and Owen Sound hospitals on November 17. Bruce Power is invited to conduct due diligence on the Point Lepreau Generating Station. On December 3, the company celebrates one year without an acute lost time injury. The following day, the Bruce A Restart project is recognized as one of Power Engineering magazine's Projects of the Year. In 2004, CANDU nuclear plants provide half of the electricity produced in Ontario.

CNSC staff begin the comprehensive process to review the re-licensing of the Pickering nuclear facilities for five years. This is the first of many planned nuclear power plant licence renewals and includes the operation of Pickering Unit 4, the restart of Pickering Unit 1 and the possible restart of Pickering Units 2 and 3.

Unit 3 of Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station is synchronized to the grid on January 8 and a new record demand (market) peak of 25,570 MW is established on January 27. A feasibility study into the restart of Units 1 and 2 is launched on January 29. An Improved Output Program boosts output on Unit 6 by 26 MW with new turbine rotors. (Source: Bruce Power)

CNSC amendments to the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations (PTNSR) include and update references to the current international standards established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As an original member state of the IAEA, Canada has been an active participant in the development of these international standards and regulations.

A “New Fuel Project” is initiated in March to consider the use of slightly enriched uranium fuel that incorporates a failsafe dysprosium element in the Bruce B reactors by 2008. Ontario Energy Minister Dwight Duncan visits Bruce Power and tours the site and Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station.

The CNSC initiates the Power Regulation Improvement Program (PRRIP) to ensure a power reactor regulation program that delivers the best possible performance for licensees and the public. The PRRIP will achieve this by examining and improving all relevant aspects of the regulation program, from planning and problem-solving to communication and management methods. The program’s goal is to facilitate the CNSC’s management of the risk to public health, safety, security and the environment arising from the operation of nuclear power reactors in Canada.

The CNSC issues a decommissioning licence to Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for the Bruce Heavy Water Plant located in Kincardine, Ontario. OPG begins decommissioning the plant later that year.

Dr. J.A. Dosman is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Tribunal for a second term and serves until April 22, 2007.

Mr. M. Taylor is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Tribunal and serves until August 8, 2005.

Building on tools and initiatives already in place, an Outreach Program is launched to heighten public awareness and understanding of regulated nuclear activities and the CNSC’s role in protecting health, safety, security and the environment. Outreach activities undertaken in 2004–2005 include meeting with mayors in communities near nuclear facilities and with licensee boards of directors, and providing affected communities with the opportunity to participate directly during public hearings by electronic means or through visits from the Commission Tribunal.

Bruce Power achieves a Level 8 safety rating from the International Safety Rating System.

The CNSC issues a uranium mine decommissioning licence to Cogema Resources Inc. for its Cluff Lake Project in northern Saskatchewan. The licence allows decommissioning of the mining facility, which consists of two underground mines, four open-pit mines, a mill, waste management systems and associated site facilities.

Bruce Power undertakes an environmental assessment for the restart of Units 1 and 2 at the Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station in anticipation of successful negotiations with the provincial government. On March 21, Bruce Power confirms that it has reached a tentative agreement with a provincial negotiator for the restart, and that the Ontario government will consider the details of this agreement, approved in principle by Bruce Power's major partners. Bruce Power announces on October 17 that Units 1 and 2 will be restarted and Units 3 and 4 will be refurbished for $4.25 billion. A project is also started to dismantle the remaining towers at the Bruce Heavy Water Plant, which changes the skyline at Bruce. And the Municipality of Kincardine approves an Ontario Power Generation plan for deep geological storage of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste on the Bruce Power site that is to begin in 2017 if regulatory requirements are met. (Source: Bruce Power)

CNSC President Linda J. Keen is elected to lead the Third Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety. The 11-day April meeting would send Ms. Keen to IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The Convention on Nuclear Safety was established on June 17, 1994. It was developed during a conference on the safety of nuclear power organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Every three years, Review Meetings are held to review reports submitted by contracting parties, as well as the subjects discussed therein. Of the 56 contracting parties, 51 attended this meeting. With India finally depositing its instrument of ratification, all states with nuclear power plants were parties to the convention. As of November 10, 2010, 72 states had signed the Convention while 11 others had not yet ratified it.

CNSC President Linda J. Keen is elected as President of the Third Review Meeting of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, marking the first time a Canadian is chosen as an executive officer for the Convention. (Source: CNSC)

Tailored specifically for the CNSC, the values and ethics strategy under the theme “Helping good people do the right thing” is formally launched in March 2005. The strategy meets government requirements and reflects the spirit and intent of the draft Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act (Bill C-11).

The CNSC contributes to the development of the Canadian government position for the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism . The CNSC is responsible for the implementation of these Conventions in Canada. (Source: CNSC)

NB Power announces that Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. will refurbish its Point Lepreau Generating Station unit.

The Honourable John McCallum, Minister responsible for nuclear matters, September 2005 – February 2006.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reaches a safeguards conclusion for Canada. The IAEA considers that all declared nuclear material in Canada is for peaceful, non-explosive uses. The IAEA also concludes that Canada is compliant with a new requirement in the IAEA’s policy on safeguards – that there is no undeclared nuclear material or activity in Canada.

The Ontario government announces an agreement with Bruce Power Inc. to proceed with refurbishment of two units at the Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station and return them to operation.

After three years of study and consultation, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization submits its final report, Choosing a Way Forward , to the Minister of Natural Resources with recommendations and proposed approaches for long-term management of Canada's nuclear fuel waste. (Source: Nuclear Waste Management Office)

The CNSC receives a letter of intent from Ontario Power Generation to prepare a site and construct a deep geologic repository (DGR) to dispose of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste on the Bruce site in Tiverton, Ontario. The DGR would also hold waste from the Bruce, Pickering and Darlington nuclear generating stations. (Source: CNSC)

Saskatchewan's Cluff Lake completes physical decommissioning.

The CNSC implements the National Sealed Source Registry and online Sealed Source Tracking System, making Canada the first G8 country with such robust registration and tracking controls for high-risk sealed sources. Together, the registry and the tracking system assure the global community of safe, secure international transfers of these sources.

The CNSC publishes an information document entitled Licensing Process for New Nuclear Power Plants in Canada , which provides an overview of this licensing process. There has been much discussion on the need for new nuclear power plants in Canada – particularly in Ontario – to meet the growing demand for electricity. The document outlines the CNSC’s expectations for all stakeholders, with emphasis on the environmental assessment process. It is a precursor to a series of regulatory documents that will need to be developed if new reactor projects are to proceed.

The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister responsible for nuclear matters, February 2006 – October 2008

The CNSC opens a site office at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.’s Chalk River Laboratories to carry out on-site compliance activities, including inspections and audits. The decision to do so was made in 2005, following a risk assessment of the licensee’s activities and the extent of compliance activities required by CNSC staff. This becomes the sixth site office operated by the CNSC at one of Canada’s major nuclear facilities. Site offices enhance the regulator’s ability to deliver on its compliance activities in an effective and efficient manner.

Mr. André Harvey is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Tribunal for a term ending on June 1, 2011.

Mr. J.G. Paquet is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Tribunal and serves until April 30, 2007.

The CNSC receives an application from Bruce Power to prepare a site for new nuclear reactors at its Bruce County facility. The submission – the first related to a new nuclear power plant in Canada in more than two decades – proposes up to four reactors that would generate 4,000 MW of electricity for Ontario. (Source: CNSC)

The Nuclear Security Regulations are approved to strengthen the regulatory regime for physical protection of nuclear facilities and nuclear substances in Canada.

The CNSC receives an application from Ontario Power Generation for a licence to prepare a site for the potential construction of a new reactor at its Darlington site in the Municipality of Clarington, Ontario.

The CNSC establishes a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Regulatory Affairs Committee to consult and communicate more effectively with NGOs about nuclear regulatory and policy matters.

The CNSC is implementing policies, controls and procedures to meet provisions of this law, which aims to improve government transparency and accountability of operations.

The CNSC delivers a comprehensive Canadian Safeguards Support Program, which provides technical support and other resources to enhance the implementation of safeguards by the CNSC and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Areva's McClean Lake mine and mill produce their 50 millionth pound of yellowcake.

The Applied Neutron Diffraction for Industry (ANDI) service at the NRC Canadian Neutron Beam Centre performs proprietary measurements on a fee-for-service basis. It has enabled industrial research in sectors such as nuclear energy, aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, defence, and primary metal production.

The CNSC implements an enhanced import and export control program for high-risk radioactive sealed sources, marking Canada's full compliance with and continued commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources .

The Government of Canada's Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation comes into effect, calling for expanded stakeholder consultation on regulatory initiatives. The CNSC responds with initiatives that include higher-profile public consultation activities and an improved public Web site.

The National Research Universal reactor sets a new six-day record for the production of molybdenum-99 (a medical isotope widely used for diagnosing heart diseases), enabling more than a million additional diagnostic scans around the world.

The University of Western Ontario led a proposal supported by 12 universities to fund the construction of a neutron reflectometer in Chalk River, which was supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, the Ontario Innovation Trust and the National Research Council.

The National Research Council unveils the D3 Neutron Reflectometer, the first apparatus of its kind in Canada. It is used to study materials by shining a neutron beam onto a surface and measuring the intensity of reflected radiation to learn about the surface’s unique characteristics. The National Research Universal reactor at Chalk River Laboratories supplies neutrons.

The CNSC receives an application from Energy Alberta Corp. to prepare a site for the potential construction of new reactors on land adjacent to Lac Cardinal near the town of Peace River, Alberta.

The CNSC initiates the Tritium Studies Project, which involves studies on tritium releases in Canada and international best practices of tritium processing facilities. This research will include a series of seven reports, to be completed by the end 2010, and an analysis of regulatory practices.

Regulations amending certain instruments made under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Miscellaneous Program) are approved. These result in amendments to five sets of regulations under the Act and to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure , to address recommendations from the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.

The Government of Canada announces the creation of the Major Projects Management Office (MPMO), a federal body that will work with other departments and agencies – including the CNSC – to review major resource projects and provide a single point of entry into the regulatory process.

The CNSC discovers a licensing concern related to Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.'s National Research Universal reactor in Chalk River. The reactor had been shut down for routine maintenance at the time, with plans to restart it on November 22.

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. informs the CNSC it will extend the shutdown of the National Research Universal reactor to address an identified licensing concern. The reactor produces about 80% of the world's medical isotopes, leading the shutdown to cause widespread international concern about their availability for medical diagnostics and treatments.

Dr. Ronald J. Barriault is appointed as a member of the CNSC's Tribunal for a term ending December 2, 2010.

The Government of Canada issues the Directive to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Regarding the Health of Canadians , which instructs the CNSC to consider the health of those Canadians who, for medical purposes, depend on nuclear substances from nuclear reactors.

The Government of Canada enacts Bill C-38, An Act to Permit the Resumption and Continuation of the Operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk River . The bill overrides the CNSC's regulatory authority and allows Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. to resume operation of the National Research Universal reactor for 120 days, despite the reactor's contravention of licence conditions under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

AECL restarts the National Research Universal reactor under the authority of Bill C-38 and isotope production resumes within days.

The CNSC strengthens operations to become more adaptable and to communicate more effectively with stakeholders. The organization clearly focuses on four key priority areas – commitment to ongoing improvements, clarity of requirements, capacity for action, and communication – and continues to reinforce them with staff and stakeholders.

Hydro-Québec announces the refurbishment of Gentilly-2 Nuclear Power Plant in Bécancour, Quebec, which will extend its operation until approximately 2040.

The CNSC meets recruitment objectives to support growth in the nuclear industry.

The CNSC engages government partners through the Major Projects Management Office to clarify requirements and improve efficiency in regulating new nuclear projects such as Bruce Power's new nuclear power plant projects in Tiverton and Nanticoke, Ontario; Ontario Power Generation's new Darlington nuclear power plant project in Bowmanville, Ontario; and Ontario Power Generation's proposed deep geologic repository in Tiverton.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) proposes a Deep Geological Repository (DGR), a long-term nuclear waste facility for low- and medium level waste that would be located at the Bruce nuclear site in the municipality of Kincardine, Ontario. The OPG proposes to construct a deep rock vault in the limestone layer hundreds of metres below ground. Today, both an environmental assessment and a regulatory review are underway for a site preparation and construction licence.

New Brunswick Power begins refurbishing Point Lepreau Generating Station. Prior to the refurbishment, Point Lepreau provided up to 30% of New Brunswick’s electricity.

Ms. L.J. Keen is removed from her position as CNSC President by the Governor in Council.