Environment Committee on April 18th, 2024

[Haidy Tadros]

There was a wealth of interventions that came, both for the project and against the project. CNSC staff's approach to this was very much down the middle. We were looking at the safety case. We were looking at the information presented, and that information was the basis of our technical evaluation. Again, a lot of that evaluation and information about how the commission came to its decision is found in the record of decision and the rationale—

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

I'm sorry, but I don't know if you got the question, though. From your experience, what are the most common misconceptions? The Canadian public needs to understand. It's complicated. It is a new science that's going on in Canada, but what is the best way? What is the most common thing and how do we turn that narrative around?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We have time only for the most common thing. We can get into the “turning it around” in the next question, but I guess what Mr. Mazier is asking is what fear comes up the most.

Go ahead, Ms. Tadros or Ms. Mendoza.

[Haidy Tadros]

In general, it's a fear from understanding radiation, a fear from understanding the health impacts of radiation and a fear of its being too close to water bodies and areas where people can get exposed to it. I think that comes up regularly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you.

We'll go to Madame Chatel now.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank the witnesses for being with us today.

I have some questions for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission as well.

As you know, my riding borders the Ottawa River. Sheenboro is practically across from Chalk River, so this is a very important issue for me. No one likes the idea of having radioactive waste near our beloved river, certainly myself. I visited the site, and my understanding is that the waste is there on the river bank, exposed to extreme weather events right now. So there is cause for concern.

I would also like to talk about the near surface disposal facility, or NSDF. First, I'd like you to confirm what waste will actually be stored. Second, will it improve the current situation, which is that the waste is there, in the form of a 1970s building, on the banks of the river? My understanding is that it will be destroyed because it was contaminated, and that these materials will be the ones to be stored more safely. Will this project improve the current situation on the site?

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, Ms. Pauzé?

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

I told myself I wasn't going to get into the NSDF because of the judicial review—

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

Excuse me—

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Let me finish, Mrs. Chatel.

If we were to talk about this subject, I would have pages and pages of questions about it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

What's your point of order, Ms. Pauzé?

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Yes. I don't think we can—

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

That's not a point of order.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I want to see what it is, Mrs. Chatel. I didn't quite follow what Ms. Pauzé was saying.

Ms. Pauzé, could you repeat it? I've stopped the clock.

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Since we started, the questions have all been on the NSDF. I didn't think we could talk about it, given that there is a judicial review of this case. That's why I'm a little surprised.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I guess the question can be asked, but I also assume that if we can't talk about it, the witnesses—

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

A point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

—won't answer.

Go ahead, Mrs. Chatel.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

The legal challenge is about consultation, not facts about Chalk River, so I don't understand what my colleague is trying to get at. Is she trying to stop me from talking about a project that's important to my riding?

[Monique Pauzé, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

It's an important project for all of Quebec.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

It's important for my Quebec in particular.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

We're going to move on.

As I said, the witnesses have the right not to answer if they believe that we're getting close to something we shouldn't be discussing.

Go on, Mrs. Chatel.

[Sophie Chatel, Liberal, Pontiac, QC]

As I was saying earlier, my question is about the near surface disposal facility, or NSDF. Will this proposed facility make the situation safer when it comes to storing the waste that's currently on the banks of the river?

[Haidy Tadros]

Thank you for the question.

I'll answer in English to make sure I use the right terminology, the terminology we work with.

As for the discussion that you've just had, we will not be able to speak to specifics on the near surface disposal facility, not just because of the consultation aspect but because the commission's decision speaks for itself. There's a wealth of information in the record of decision on every aspect that you're looking for in terms of what CNL is proposing, how CNSC staff did their technical evaluation and, in the end, the rationale the commission used to make its decision. In general, though, we can definitely go through how CNSC staff do their work.

Coming back to your question with regard to what is currently at the Chalk River site, effectively, you are right: There is low-level radioactive waste everywhere. It is in different areas and it is currently managed safely on site. It is part of CNL's requirement to have a radioactive waste management program that manages waste no matter where it is, whether it be in a disposal facility, in bags or in buildings. The radioactive waste that is currently at the Chalk River site is being managed safely.

Is there an opportunity to do better? I think that's what all of our licensees should be looking for. I'll stop there and see if there are any other questions.