Access to information requests

Our ongoing research on the energy transition has found that most government and public entity websites provide mostly promotional rather than factual information about nuclear energy. In an effort to uncover more information, CEDAR investigators have filed numerous requests for behind-the-scenes information from governments and public agencies. Federal requests are called Access to Information (ATI) and those in New Brunswick are Request for Information (RTI). We’re putting the responses here for public access.

For more information, check out the site developed by the Globe and Mail, Secret Canada. This database of government information requests contains records of thousands of requests made to federal and provincial governments as well as public agencies across Canada.

Government of Canada

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)

3) Communications related to reprocessing and recycling used nuclear fuel received between January 2016 and December 2022. Requested December 2022, received August 2023. HERE (pdf 12.6 MB)

2) Statements issued between 1977 and 2022 expressing Canada’s policy with respect to nuclear weapons proliferation and security risks in relation to plutonium. Requested December 2022, received April 2023. HERE (pdf 308 KB)

1) Statements issued expressing Canada’s policy with respect to the “recycling” or “reprocessing” of nuclear fuel waste. Requested December 2022, received April 2023. HERE (pdf 46.6 MB)

Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB)

1) Communications related to reprocessing and recycling used nuclear fuel received between January 2016 and December 2022. Requested December 2022, received February 2023. HERE (pdf 2.2 MB)

Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC)

2) Information relating to the request to designate the SMR project at Point Lepreau for an impact assessment spanning June to October 2022. Requested October 2022, released January 2023. HERE (pdf 14.2 MB)

1) Information (including but not limited to correspondence, briefing notes, records and emails) relating to the request to designate the SMR project at Point Lepreau for an impact assessment spanning October to December 2022. Requested January 2023, released September 2023. HERE (pdf 55.3 MB)

Finance Canada

1) Communications related to reprocessing and recycling used nuclear fuel received between January 2016 and December 2022. Requested December 2022, received February 2023. HERE (pdf 16 MB)

Global Affairs Canada

1) Statements issued expressing Canada’s policy with respect to the “recycling” or “reprocessing” of nuclear fuel waste. Requested December 2022, received May 2023. HERE (pdf 9.3 MB)

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

2) Communications related to reprocessing and recycling used nuclear fuel received between January 2016 and December 2022. Requested December 2022. Interim response received August 2023. HERE (pdf 5.1 MB). Final response received December 2023. HERE (pdf 2.6 MB)

1) Public statements expressing Canada’s policy with respect to the
“recycling” or “reprocessing” of nuclear fuel waste OR nuclear weapons proliferation and security risks in relation to plutonium. Requested December 2022, received February 2023. No records found, letter HERE (pdf 162 KB)

Privy Council Office (PCO)

3) Communications related to reprocessing and recycling used nuclear fuel received between January 2016 and December 2022. Requested December 2022, received May 2023. HERE (pdf 43.8 MB)

1) Statements issued expressing Canada’s policy with respect to the “recycling” or “reprocessing” of nuclear fuel waste. Requested December 2022, received February 2023. HERE (pdf 2.7 MB)

New Brunswick

Environment and Local government

1) Communications related to nuclear energy in which any of the following topics are mentioned: recycling or reprocessing used (irradiated/spent) nuclear fuel, pyroprocessng, plutonium or plutonium extraction, nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, enriched uranium or HALEU (high-assay low-enriched uranium). Requested July 2023, received August 2023. HERE (pdf 450 KB)