TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – The Canadian government on Wednesday announced new measures that empower the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to use financial penalties for violations of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, which was aimed at dealing with violations and instances of noncompliance with the Act early, and effectively, so that larger issues did not arise.

Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, who published the new regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II on Wednesday, said the new regulations, which would be implemented with immediate effect, were part of government’s responsible resource development plan.

“Canada has a world-class regulator in the CNSC. Administrative monetary penalties will provide it with an additional means to enforce accountability and compliance,” he added.

About 15.2% of Canada's electricity, as of October 2012, is produced by nuclear power. All of this is produced in Ontario, except for the one reactor at Point Lepreau, in New Brunswick.

Oliver pointed out that the penalties were intended to address issues early, pre-empting the use of more severe enforcement measures, which could include court-imposed sentences of $1-million and/or five years in jail for an indictable offence and $500 000 and/or 18 months in jail for a summary conviction.

These monetary penalties could range up to a maximum of $25 000 for individuals and up to a maximum of $100 000 for companies. Each day a violation continued, would be considered a separate incident and subject to an additional fine.

In developing the new regulations, the CNSC carried out public consultations and consulted directly with stakeholders and other interested organisations and individuals. CNSC also issued a discussion paper and held information sessions for licensees.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials in Canada, to protect health, safety, security and the environment, and to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.