There are environmental, economic and social benefits to society from nuclear power and medical isotopes. The waste generated by their production and use, however, requires robust control and management. To examine the governance of radioactive waste in Canada and its impacts on the environment, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (the Committee) undertook a study, beginning in February 2022. The Committee held four meetings and has prepared 12 recommendations for the Government of Canada.

Radioactive waste in Canada is any material that contains a radioactive nuclear substance and for which no further use is foreseen. It is typically produced by nuclear energy generation, and by the production and use of isotopes for medical procedures. Depending on its radioactivity, waste is classified as high-level waste (HLW), intermediate-level waste (ILW) or low-level waste (LLW).

Witnesses provided testimony related to two proposals for the long-term disposal of radioactive waste in Canada: a deep geological repository (DGR) is proposed for construction in one of two locations in Ontario for irradiated nuclear fuel, which is considered HLW, and a near-surface disposal facility (NSDF) is proposed for the long-term disposal of LLW near Chalk River, Ontario. Some witnesses felt confident in the rigor of the processes followed to choose sites and consult with communities, while others expressed concern with the processes. There are currently no plans to address the long-term storage of ILW in Canada.

The Committee heard testimony about broad questions related to nuclear waste and its management and governance. Witnesses spoke about the importance of an independent Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, as well as the roles of Natural Resources Canada, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Overall, some witnesses expressed confidence in Canada’s oversight systems for nuclear waste and others indicated concerns about the involvement of private organizations.

The Committee also heard about the safety record of the Canadian nuclear industry, including during transportation of radioactive waste. Members heard evidence about Canada’s conformance to international standards for governance and management of radioactive waste, about transformation and reprocessing of such waste, and about classification and record keeping. They heard input related to nuclear governing authorities’ consultations with concerned citizens and with Indigenous communities, and about how information is and could be shared with the public.

As Canada seeks to decarbonize its energy grid and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, nuclear power will be part of the energy mix, and issues of radioactive waste management must be addressed. Rigorous consideration is needed to deal appropriately with radioactive waste, because decisions made in the near future will have repercussions decades, centuries and even millennia from now. The Government of Canada must make careful choices about how to oversee the nuclear industry and the radioactive waste it generates, as these choices have the potential to affect human and environmental health and public trust in the nuclear industry.