Transparency is a shared responsibility

With a mandate to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) goes to great lengths to ensure that it is being open and transparent in all of its dealings, writes Jason Cameron, vice-president, Regulatory Affairs Branch, CNSC.

This approach is important for increasing public understanding and trust in the CNSC's role of protecting Canadians, their health and the environment.

The CNSC also believes that establishing an atmosphere of openness and trust with the public should be a key priority for all national nuclear regulators and that transparency and proactive communications are a shared responsibility between regulators, facility operators and international organizations involved in nuclear safety and security.

Since Fukushima, the CNSC has enhanced its own communications with the public, has required all major facility operators to have formalized public information and disclosure programs, and has actively advocated for greater transparency internationally.

When proposing new or revising existing regulatory requirements, the CNSC actively seeks input from licensees, the public, non-governmental organizations, all levels of government, and international stakeholders. A variety of vehicles - including website announcements, Facebook postings and email distribution lists - are used to gather this feedback. The CNSC takes all input into account when finalizing its regulatory requirements.

When differing opinions exist, the CNSC may also provide opportunities for additional consultation to explore remaining issues and ensure that all points of view are understood and given serious consideration. In all cases, CNSC requirements are based on the best science available to deliver on its mandate.

The Commission - the CNSC decision-making body - promotes openness and transparency by conducting public hearings and meetings. When possible, these proceedings are held where nuclear facilities are located, such as Aboriginal communities.

This ensures that the public that is most directly implicated in consideration of effects will have a voice in the decision making process.

Aboriginal people as well as other members of the public participate in public hearings via written submissions and oral presentations. A Participant Funding Program, established in 2011, enhances public participation in the environmental assessment and licensing process and helps participants give valuable information to the Commission. The public proceedings are carried live online on CNSC's website, and transcripts of them are also made available online shortly afterwards.

Travelling from coast to coast to coast, CNSC staff regularly visit Canadians in their communities to answer their questions on the regulation of the nuclear sector. For instance, between April 2013 and March 2014, the CNSC participated in more than 150 outreach activities.

The CNSC encourages its experts to share their knowledge. Their technical articles have been peer reviewed and published in various scientific journals. Scientific and technical paper abstracts, as well as journal articles, are published on the CNSC website.

While the CNSC continually strives to be a leader in public communication on nuclear safety, building trust is also the industry's responsibility. Licensees must provide information on their safety records and nuclear activities to their stakeholders and the people living near their facilities.

This industry responsibility to communicate was formalized in 2013, when the CNSC implemented new regulatory requirements outlined in RD/GC-99.3, Public Information and Disclosure. These requirements put the onus on licensees to define their targeted audiences and to proactively inform them and stakeholders of the facilities' regular activities as well as any accidents.

Under RD/GD-99.3, these requirements are now implemented through robust public information programs in place at regulated facilities.

These programs are supported by disclosure protocols, which must describe the type of information or reports to be made public, the criteria for determining when such information and reports are to be published and where they are published.

The CNSC expects public information programs managed by licensees to work towards building public awareness and understanding of their nuclear activities. Developing and maintaining open communication channels and ongoing information sharing will go a long way in assisting the facility and the public under regular operating circumstances or during an emergency.

The CNSC is a strong advocate for greater transparency at the international level as well. It takes every opportunity to encourage other national nuclear regulators and international organizations involved in nuclear safety to share information with the public.

For instance, prior to the last review meeting on the Convention on Nuclear Safety, the CNSC shared Canada's national report, as well as the questions and answers arising from the peer review process, and invited other countries to share similar information. The CNSC also asked the President of the Convention to name regulators of countries that do not comply with their obligations. In addition, the CNSC urged regulators to publish reports of the peer-review missions of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as the actions taken to respond to recommendations and suggestions.

In this and many other ways, the CNSC strives to contribute to a robust regulatory environment in Canada and around the world.

Jason Cameron

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