The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has made available the International Atomic Energy Agency’s final report on an International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission to Canada last year. The mission concluded that Canada has a mature and well-established nuclear security regime. The IPPAS mission to Canada took place between 19 and 30 October last year with a team of experts under the leadership of Nancy Fragoyannis, a senior level advisor at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It reviewed Canada’s nuclear security-related legislative and regulatory regime, and security arrangements, including site visits and reviews of physical protection systems at the Bruce nuclear power plant, Ontario Power Generation’s Western Waste Management Facility, Nordion’s processing facility and the nuclear research reactor at McMaster University. The team noted that the CNSC “encourages the adoption of good nuclear security practices that exceed current regulatory requirements”.
CNSC president Michael Binder said he was proud the IPPAS report showed the organisation and Canadian nuclear licensees had continued to identify opportunities to enhance current nuclear security practices. “The CNSC will keep working to ensure a strong nuclear safety and security regime in our country and around the world,” he said.
Commenting on the publication of the report, Dr Roger Howsley, WINS Executive Director noted: “The publication by Canada of the IAEA IPPAS report is a leading example of transparency and best practice in communicating with civil society and CNSC should be commended for its progressive and totally responsible attitudes and policies. CNSC deserves its reputation as one of the world’s leading nuclear regulatory organisations.”
The report can be downloaded from the CNSC website (http://nuclearsafety.gc.ca) or below.
