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 CNSC assesses the environmental effects of all nuclear facilities and activities at every phase of their lifecycle.
• The CNSC undertakes Environmental Assessments (EAs) in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 or under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. These EAs provide opportunities for the participation of the public and indigenous people and to address the impacts of nuclear activity on air, water, soil, plants, animals, human health, weather, seismic events and climate change.
• The utility companies that operate nuclear facilities in Ontario and New Brunswick and the uranium mining operations in Saskatchewan are committed to minimizing the environmental footprint of their operations and to work with a broad range of partners to sustain and improve biodiversity. The Canadian Nuclear Workers Council shares and supports this commitment.
Click here to download the 2017 Nuclear Environment Fact Sheet in PDF format.