Mr. Speaker, as members know, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Canada's nuclear regulator, has received an application from Bruce Power for a licence to transport 16 steam generators to Sweden in order to recycle 90% of the metal.
I am told that the application clearly indicates the generators can be safely transported and that all steps are being taken to ensure the shipment poses no risks to the public or the environment. The contaminated material is entirely contained within the generators, which have been sealed.
As well, I understand the level of radioactivity sealed inside each of the generators is extremely low.
Still, concerns have been expressed. As a government that is committed to ensuring the protection of the public, the workers, and the environment, we understand that these concerns must be taken seriously and be addressed.
That is why the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal, held, and streamed via webcast, its public hearings that were held on September 28 and 29 to consider Bruce Power's application. The commission heard from 77 members of the public.
The CNSC commissioners also heard from their own experts, both in terms of their assessment of the Bruce application and their response to issues raised by intervenors.
Following the September hearings, and after careful analyses, the commissioners requested that CNSC staff undertake an additional analysis of a few specific issues, which was in turn sent to the participants, inviting them to provide further comments by November 22, 2010. The commission is continuing its deliberations on the application.
Our government has confidence in the decisions of the CNSC as an independent regulator. The commission has a long and distinguished track record in making objective science- and risk-based decisions.
In fact, a recent independent assessment conducted on the International Atomic Energy Agency determined that CNSC does an effective job in carrying out its role.
I want to remind my hon. colleague that CNSC is an arm's-length regulator. This means that we must allow it to make this decision, which will ensure the safeguard of the health, safety, and security of Canadians.
The government recognizes how important the nuclear industry is to Canada and Canadians. The industry creates thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity.
We are committed to strengthening Canada's nuclear advantage and ensuring that nuclear generation remains a viable option for emissions-free power at home and worldwide. As part of that, we are committed to responsible, effective, and efficient regulation of the industry. The nuclear industry is a carefully regulated industrial sector.
We have a strong and modern legislative framework in place, including the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The CNSC will only license nuclear facilities and activities that are environmentally responsible and safe.
We will also continue to move forward on the policy initiatives to build public confidence in the industry and position it for growth. For instance, we are moving forward with the modernization of our nuclear liability legislation.
We will continue to monitor the activities of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization as it moves forward on long-term management of Canada's spent nuclear fuel.
We will also advance our own long-term waste management strategies, which are the Port Hope area initiative and the nuclear legacy liabilities program.
We want a nuclear industry that is strong, clean, and safe, and the CNSC will continue to pay a vital role in achieving this.