Under the Canadian Nuclear Safety and Control Act, subparagraph 9(a)(i) states:
9. The objects of the Commission are
(i) [to] prevent unreasonable risk, to the environment and to the health and safety of persons, associated with that development, production...or use,
It was clear that she had the powers to deal with this matter. She had the powers to deal with this matter before AECL brought it to her. And obviously there was a dispute between these two agencies. AECL presented a safety case to the president of the CNSC. They believed they had a strong safety case. We were advised by the president and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission that she did not believe they had a complete safety case.
Again, as we gathered this information, what I was encouraging the president to do was to put the matter before...so a decision could be rendered. However, it appeared obvious that that was not going to happen through the progression of our communication. Ultimately, bringing a bill before Parliament ended up being the only way.
Clearly, had we not acted, there is no question in my mind that people would die.