What is a licence?
Every nuclear facility in Canada must have a licence from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Canada’s independent nuclear regulator. The licence sets out what activities can take place and establishes strict requirements for safety, security, environmental protection, and performance.
Chalk River Laboratories has operated under a regulated licence model since 1946 and has a long history of safe and responsible operations. The current licence was issued in 2018 and expires in March 2028. CNL is applying for a 24 year licence term, which it believes is the right duration to support its environmental remediation work, campus revitalization, and ongoing science mission while maintaining the same high standards of safety, environmental protection, and regulatory oversight.
The proposed licence renewal does not seek approval for new types of activities. CNL intends to continue operating within its existing mandate and authorized scope of work.
Why is CNL seeking this licence term?
The work carried out at Chalk River Laboratories often spans many years and sometimes decades. Research projects, environmental cleanup activities, infrastructure upgrades, and investments in people and technology all require long-term planning, forecasting and take many years to complete. The current portfolio of work aligns well with CNL’s request for a 24 year licence duration.
A longer licence term would help CNL:
- Plan and invest for the future with greater certainty.
- Continue important research and innovation.
- Advance environmental remediation and waste management projects.
- Strengthen partnerships with Indigenous Nations and communities, businesses, and educational institutions.
- Support contined economic activity across the region.
What will not change?
This new licence term does not mean less oversight. The CNSC will continue to closely regulate and inspect Chalk River Laboratories, just as it does today.
CNL will continue to:
- Meet strict regulatory requirements.
- Report regularly on safety and environmental performance.
- Conduct extensive environmental monitoring.
- Share information with the public and Indigenous Nations and communities.
- Participate in ongoing community engagement activities.
Longer term. Same oversight. Same accountability.
This is the optimal licence duration for Chalk River Laboratories… and we are ready!
Chalk River Laboratories has been operating safely and responsibly for nearly 80 years, playing a vital role in Canada’s nuclear science, technology, environmental stewardship, and innovation programs. Throughout that time, the site has maintained a strong record of compliance with regulatory requirements and has continually evolved to meet changing standards and expectations.
Over the current licence period, CNL has made significant investments in facilities, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure Chalk River Laboratories remains modern, reliable, and capable of supporting Canada’s long-term nuclear priorities. These investments have strengthened the site’s ability to safely carry out its important work today while preparing for future needs.
CNL’s confidence in seeking a longer licence term is also supported by mature safety, environmental protection, and compliance programs that guide every aspect of operations. These programs are backed by rigorous oversight, extensive monitoring, regular reporting, and a culture of continuous improvement.
The environmental impacts associated with site operations are well understood and closely monitored through comprehensive environmental surveillance and reporting programs. This ongoing work helps ensure the protection of people, communities, and the environment while providing transparency to regulators, Indigenous Nations and communities, and the public.
Taken together, CNL’s decades of operating experience, strong safety performance, ongoing investments, and well-established management programs provide a solid foundation for the proposed licence renewal and continued operation of Chalk River Laboratories.
Steps in the Process
2026 June
CNL submitted its licence renewal application to the CNSC for review.2026/2027
Additional information about the application will be released and made available for public review.2027 Spring
2027 November
2028 March
The CNSC will make an independent decision on the licence renewal application.
Support for your participation in the process
Participant Funding
To ensure that all parties have the resources they need to participate fully in the licencing process, the CNSC offers a Participant Funding program.
Eligible applicants are individuals or organizational representatives who can demonstrate one or more of the following:
- a direct, local interest in the project area
- Indigenous traditional knowledge or community knowledge relevant to the project
- potential or established Indigenous and/or treaty rights that may be impacted by the project
- information that is relevant to the project and helps inform the CNSC review
The future of Chalk River Laboratories is important to our region, to Canada’s science and technology sectors, and to advancing clean energy in this country. The CNSC’s licensing process is designed to ensure community members have an opportunity to share their perspectives before a decision is made. I encourage you to learn about our operations, review the information available, and participate in the process.