Implementing a State-Level Integrated Safeguards Approach in Canada

In September 2005 the IAEA, for the first time, reached the broad conclusion that all nuclear material in Canada remained in peaceful activities. The attainment and subsequent annual maintenance of this conclusion allows the IAEA to fundamentally change the way that safeguards are implemented in Canada by moving towards a State-level integrated safeguards approach (SLA). Canada’s SLA was finalized in December 2005, after extensive consultation among the IAEA, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the Canadian nuclear industry. This paper will describe the implementation of this new approach, touching on: the main features of the Canadian SLA; the agreed order of priority in transitioning to the approach within the various sectors of the Canadian fuel cycle; the work plan established for moving forward in a logical and orderly manner, thereby allowing all parties to put in place the necessary protocols and procedures; and some initial thoughts on the lessons learned throughout this process.