Federal – Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is the lead federal department responsible for nuclear energy policy in Canada. NRCan develops and implements federal nuclear policy, including initiatives related to innovation, decarbonization, and energy security, and leads coordination with provinces, territories, Indigenous Nations and communities, and international partners.

Two organizations report through (not directly to) the Minister of Natural Resources to the Parliament of Canada that play key roles in the Canadian nuclear energy program, these include:

• The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
• Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

NRCan administers key federal legislation and policy initiatives relevant to nuclear host communities, including:

• the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, under which long-term management of used nuclear fuel is established;
• federal Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act and insurance policy through the Nuclear Insurance Association of Canada (NIAC); and
• the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Action Plan and related federal initiatives supporting nuclear innovation and deployment.