Marginal note:Purpose

3. The purpose of this Act is to provide for

• (a) the limitation, to a reasonable level and in a manner that is consistent with Canada’s international obligations, of the risks to national security, the health and safety of persons and the environment that are associated with the development, production and use of nuclear energy and the production, possession and use of nuclear substances, prescribed equipment and prescribed information; and

• (b) the implementation in Canada of measures to which Canada has agreed respecting international control of the development, production and use of nuclear energy, including the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear explosive devices.

Marginal note:Her Majesty

4. Subject to any order made pursuant to section 5, this Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province.

Marginal note:Orders excluding Department of National Defence, etc.

5. The Governor in Council may, by order, exclude the Department of National Defence or the Canadian Forces from the application of this Act or any regulations made pursuant to this Act, to the extent and under the conditions specified in the order.

Marginal note:Act not applicable to certain naval vessels

6. This Act does not apply to a nuclear-powered or nuclear-capable naval vessel of a foreign state that is invited into Canada by Her Majesty in right of Canada.

Marginal note:Commission may exclude certain substances

7. The Commission may, in accordance with the regulations, exempt any activity, person, class of person or quantity of a nuclear substance, temporarily or permanently, from the application of this Act or the regulations or any provision thereof.

Marginal note:Establishment of Commission

• 8. (1) There is hereby established a body corporate to be known as the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

• Marginal note:Agent of Her Majesty

  (2) The Commission is for all its purposes an agent of Her Majesty and may exercise its powers only as an agent of Her Majesty.

Marginal note: Objects

9. The objects of the Commission are

• (a) to regulate the development, production and use of nuclear energy and the production, possession and use of nuclear substances, prescribed equipment and prescribed information in order to

  • (i) prevent unreasonable risk, to the environment and to the health and safety of persons, associated with that development, production, possession or use,

  • (ii) prevent unreasonable risk to national security associated with that development, production, possession or use, and

  • (iii) achieve conformity with measures of control and international obligations to which Canada has agreed; and

• (b) to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public concerning the activities of the Commission and the effects, on the environment and on the health and safety of persons, of the development, production, possession and use referred to in paragraph (a).