Regulating Canada’s Nuclear Energy

Introduction

Canada’s nuclear generating stations operate under a “once-through” fuel cycle. Uranium is mined, processed, fabricated into fuel, used in reactors, and ultimately managed as radioactive waste under strict regulatory oversight.

For nuclear host communities, different stages of this lifecycle may occur within the same municipality or across multiple communities nationwide. Activities such as uranium mining, milling, fuel fabrication, reactor operation, isotope production, transportation, waste management, refurbishment, and decommissioning generate distinct local considerations related to land use planning, infrastructure, emergency preparedness, environmental monitoring, workforce demands, and public interest.

Understanding how these stages connect within a single regulated lifecycle helps municipalities anticipate cumulative impacts, align municipal decision-making with regulatory timelines, and communicate clearly with residents.