Key Points • Since 1972, Canada’s CANDU nuclear technology has avoided the addition of 2.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide and 48.9 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. • The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment. • The

Key Points: • Canada’s Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is an independent regulatory agency of the Government of Canada that reports to Parliament through the Ministry of Natural Resources. • The Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA) sets the regulatory framework under which the CNSC operates and enforces regulations. • The Commission regulates the use of

Key Points: • A “safety in depth” philosophy applies to all aspects of Canada’s nuclear industry. This includes uranium mining, fuel processing and fabrication, harvesting of isotopes for medical and surgical sterilization purposes, design, construction, life extension activities and operation of nuclear power plants and waste management facilities. • The health and safety of workers

Key Points: • Canada’s nuclear industry—uranium mining to decommissioning of nuclear facilities and everything in between, is a mixture of private and public sector participants. Most of the industry is in Ontario, with a presence in Saskatchewan, Quebec and New Brunswick. • In 2015, nuclear power provided over 16 percent of Canada’s electricity. In Ontario,

Key Points • People are exposed to natural and human-made sources of radiation every day. • More than 60 naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as radon gas, are found in soil, water and air. Terrestrial and cosmic radiation on average represent about 80% of a person’s annual dose of background radiation.

Most countries with commercial nuclear power production have plans in place to isolate the wastes from their nuclear fuel cycle in a deep geological repository (DGR). For example, Belgium, China, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Sources for the following information include: Nuclear Waste

Key Points: • Canada has safely managed used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste for more than four decades in accordance with the licencing and regulatory requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. • Currently used fuel is safely stored at nuclear station sites while low and intermediate waste is stored at the Western Waste Management

The CNWC works closely with the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA). Two of our member unions, Power Workers Union & Society of United Professionals are members of the Association’s Board of Directors. The CNWC provides input into the fact book. Please view or if you prefer download a copy at: cna.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2020-Factbook-EN-digital.pdf

. . .In the 25-30 years nuclear energy has been producing electricity throughout the world, it has had an overwhelmingly beneficial effect on our environment. . .

No Canadian nuclear worker or member of the public has been harmed by radiation from a nuclear power plant -- ever. This impressive track record is because Canada’s nuclear industry is among the most highly regulated and safety-conscious in the world. A “safety in depth” philosophy applies to all aspects of the nuclear industry from