B.1 Implementing plans

The six PNERP Implementing Plans apply the principles, concepts and policies contained in the PNERP, to provide detailed guidance and direction for dealing with a specific nuclear or radiological emergency. The six plans include:

  1. Four site-specific Implementing Plans are available to manage the consequences of Nuclear Emergencies at Pickering NGS, Darlington NGS, Bruce NGS, and the Fermi 2 NPP in Monroe County, Michigan, USA
  2. An Implementing Plan for a Transborder Nuclear Emergency that addresses nuclear emergencies occurring outside Ontario, other than at Fermi 2 NPP, that could affect the province
  3. An Implementing Plan for Other Radiological Emergencies.

In the case of any apparent difference between this PNERP and the relevant implementing plan, the relevant provision(s) of the more recently approved plan should be applied.

B.2 Major organization plans

B.2.1 Ministry plans

Provincial ministries, agencies, boards, and commissions shall develop their own plans and procedures to fulfil the responsibilities as outlined in the Annex F .

B.2.2 Municipal plans

Pursuant to EMCPA, Section 8, provisions of an emergency plan of a municipality respecting emergencies arising in connection with nuclear facilities shall conform to this PNERP and shall address the responsibilities outlined throughout this document.

Municipalities in close proximity to, or with CNSC licensed facilities within their boundaries, should include in their emergency response plans the measures they may need to take to respond to a nuclear emergency (i.e., the ability to enact the protective actions and measures ordered by the province). This would include details on the relevant notifications to and from the involved organizations.

All municipal nuclear or radiological emergency response plans shall provide for the development of plans and procedures involving local boards (as defined in the EMCPA) and police services operating in the area to provide necessary support and assistance required by such plans, or that may be needed in an emergency.

B.2.3 Reactor facility plans

Reactor facilities shall have emergency plans to fulfil their onsite responsibilities as well as to discharge offsite responsibilities in accordance with the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, its associated regulations, and with the responsibilities outlined in Annex G .

B.2.4 CNSC licensed facilities plans

CNSC licensed facilities (nuclear establishments) have plans and procedures for the control of radioactive material and for the notification of offsite authorities in the event of an accident. These plans are in accordance with the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and its associated regulations, as well as with the responsibilities outlined in Annex H .

B.2.5 Federal emergency response plan

Under the Emergency Management Act, the Minister of Public Safety is responsible for coordinating the Government of Canada’s response to an emergency. The Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP) is the Government of Canada’s all-hazards response plan.

The FERP outlines the processes and mechanisms to facilitate an integrated Government of Canada response to an emergency.

B.2.6 Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan

The Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan (FNEP), prepared by the Minister of Health, is an annex to the FERP and describes the roles, responsibilities, and capabilities of the federal government to support the scientific and technical response to nuclear or radiological emergencies.

The FNEP contains provincial annexes which outline the provision of scientific and technical support from the federal government to provinces during a nuclear emergency.

The FNEP’s Ontario Annex functions as a pre-arrangement between the province of Ontario and the federal government for such support, under Section 6.3 of the federal Emergency Management Act. This arrangement replaces the need for further requests for response assistance. However, requests for support beyond those specified in the FNEP Ontario Annex need to be made pursuant to the normal request for federal assistance process (see Section 7.7.3).

B.2.7 First Nation and Indigenous communities

Individual First Nation and Indigenous communities are the first line of response in the event of an emergency within their community and are advised to create and implement emergency management plans in order to increase community preparedness.

While there are no First Nation or Indigenous communities within the Detailed Planning Zones (DPZ) of any of Ontario’s reactor facilities, First Nation and Indigenous communities that are, or have traditional territories, within the Ingestion Planning Zone (IPZ) for reactor facilities should consider in their plans, the need to undertake ingestion control measures (refer to the site-specific implementing plans for the Pickering NGS, Darlington NGS, Bruce NGS, Fermi 2 NPP, and for a Transborder Nuclear Emergency).

First Nation and Indigenous communities that are, or have traditional territories, in close proximity to other types of CNSC-licensed facilities should include in their emergency response plans, the measures they may need to take to respond to a radiological emergency. This would include details on the relevant notifications to and from the involved organizations.

B.2.8 International agreements and arrangements

B.2.8.1 Northern Emergency Management Assistance Compact

Ontario participates in several agreements for the purposes of emergency response mutual assistance (e.g., Northern Emergency Management Assistance Compact (NEMAC) Agreement, a memorandum of agreement, entered into by the Central and Prairie regions of the United States with select Canadian provinces (including Ontario) intended to facilitate cross border emergency management assistance through mutual aid) as well as more specific nuclear notification agreements. The latter are detailed in the PNERP Implementing Plan for the Fermi 2 Nuclear Power Plant and Implementing Plan for a Transborder Nuclear Emergency.

B.2.8.2 Statement of intent

Health Canada and the US Department of Energy developed a statement of intent supporting joint Canada-U.S. nuclear emergency preparedness and response capabilities with the objective to identify areas where coordination and cooperation, including information sharing and mutual assistance would be beneficial to nuclear emergency management programs and capabilities.

B.2.8.3 IAEA’s Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency

Canada is a signatory of the IAEA’s Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency, which sets out an international framework for co-operation among countries and with the IAEA to facilitate prompt assistance and support in the event of nuclear accidents or radiological emergencies. Requests to the IAEA for international assistance would be undertaken by Health Canada, as the Competent Authority-Abroad, and Global Affairs Canada.