Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, Canada's Responses to Questions, April 2009

This report demonstrates how Canada continues to meet its obligations under the terms of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. A collaboration by government, industry and the regulatory body, this document focuses specifically on the progress of long-term management initiatives for spent fuel and radioactive waste in Canada, revisions and updates to Canada’s Second National Report and comments and issues raised at the Second Review Meeting.

At the present time in Canada, high-level radioactive waste is accumulating in the form of irradiated, used fuel from research reactors and nuclear power generating stations. The used fuel bundles are kept in water-filled bays at each of the reactor sites. Because water is both a radiation barrier and an effective coolant, this system provides a safe means of storage. Used fuel is also safely stored above ground in dry concrete canisters in several Canadian locations.

This report demonstrates how Canada continues to meet its obligations under the terms of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. A collaboration by government, industry and the regulatory body, this document focuses specifically on the progress of long-term management initiatives for spent fuel and radioactive waste in Canada, revisions and updates to Canada’s Third National Report and comments and issues raised at the Third Review Meeting.

On August 17, 2010, the Northern Village of Pinehouse, Saskatchewan and the Kineepik Métis Local expressed interest in learning more about the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) site selection process to find an informed and willing community to host a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel (NWMO 2010). This report summarizes the findings of an initial screening, conducted by Golder Associates Ltd., to evaluate the potential suitability of the Pinehouse area against five screening criteria using readily available information.

Response to Questions Posted To Canada in 2006

Fourth Review Meeting of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, Canada's Responses to Questions to its Fourth National Report

This is Canada's Second National Report and it demonstrates how Canada continues to meet its obligations under the terms of the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. The main aspect addressed in this report is the progress on initiatives for the long-term management of spent fuel and radioactive waste in Canada. This report also includes information on Canada's systematic monitoring programs and their implementation and addresses specific topics raised at the First Review Meeting.

On September 13, 2010, the English River First Nation expressed interest in learning more about the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) site selection process to find an informed and willing community to host a deep geological repository for Canada’s used nuclear fuel (NWMO, 2010). This report summarizes the findings of an initial screening, conducted by Golder Associates Ltd., to evaluate the potential suitability of thirteen English River First Nation reserve areas against five screening criteria using readily available information.