How Should Nuclear Companies Engage with Indigenous Communities?

Official title: REGDOC-3.2.2, Indigenous Engagement

Planned Regulations & Permits Indigenous & Northern Natural Resources
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is updating its rules for how nuclear companies must engage with Indigenous communities. When a nuclear project might affect Indigenous or treaty rights, companies may be asked to help with the Crown's duty to consult. This update is mostly administrative—changing references from 'Commission Secretariat' to 'Commission Registry.'

Why This Matters

Live near a nuclear facility or proposed project? Indigenous communities have constitutionally protected rights that must be considered. These rules shape how—and how well—companies engage with affected communities before projects move forward.

What Could Change

Version 1.2 makes administrative updates to terminology. The 'Commission Secretariat' is now called the 'Commission Registry' and the 'Commission Secretary' is now the 'Commission Registrar.' The core engagement requirements remain unchanged.

Key Issues

  • Are the administrative terminology updates clear and appropriate?
  • Do the engagement requirements adequately support meaningful Indigenous consultation?

How to Participate

  1. Review the current REGDOC-3.2.2, Version 1.2 to understand the existing requirements.
  2. Contact the CNSC at cnsc.info.ccsn@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca for questions about the consultation.

Key Documents