The sustainability of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s government-owned, contractor‑operated model
Petition: 516
Issue(s): Compliance and enforcement; Governance; Indigenous matters; Toxic substances; Waste management
Petitioner(s): A Canadian resident
Petitioner location(s): Deep River, Ontario
Date received: 2 July 2024
Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received
Summary: The petition examines whether Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s government-owned, contractor-operated model is sustainable according to the Auditor General Act’s definition of sustainable development. The petition argues that Atomic Energy of Canada Limited sets priorities for Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), which then decides how the priorities are best executed.
According to the petition, CNL’s Vision 2030 strategy does not meet the definition of sustainability and lacks evidence that Atomic Energy of Canada Limited reviewed it. The petition indicates that CNL published project descriptions for radioactive waste disposal facilities prior to the release of its Integrated Waste Strategy, which required multiple revisions because of a lack of references to sustainability and Indigenous concerns. The petition asks who within the federal government reviewed and approved CNL’s Integrated Waste Strategy and Vision 2030 strategy and whether the government can monitor CNL’s performance against these strategies when they have not been approved by any government organization.
The petition further discusses CNL’s Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre, which is under construction and received funding from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited:
- The petition asks which sustainable development objectives justify the funding provided and inquires about the level of government responsible for approving the plans for the centre and ensuring that taxpayers receive value for money for it.
- The petition claims that the centre’s purpose is to support the development of advanced fuels, requiring an on-site research reactor, and asserts that the need for this reactor was not included in the Vision 2030 strategy.
- The petition requests information on whether CNL provided the government a justification report for the centre and, if so, whether the report included analyses of the market, the required infrastructure support, the management and disposal of generated waste, and the government requirements designed to be addressed by this centre.
Federal departments/organizations responsible for reply: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission; Environment and Climate Change Canada; Health Canada; Natural Resources Canada; Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat