JOINT CONVENTION ON THE SAFETY OF SPENT FUEL MANAGEMENT AND ON THE SAFETY OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT CANADA'S RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS
Response to Questions Posted To Canada in 2006
Response to Questions Posted To Canada in 2006
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.
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.