PNERP master plan update

Updates

As the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) is not a prescribed ministry under the Environmental Bill of Rights the Ministry of Energy is publishing this information notice on behalf of MCSCS.

MCSCS is voluntarily posting this Notice on the Environmental Registry for information purposes to advise interested parties of the public consultation on a Planning Basis discussion paper and the associated proposed updates to the Provincial Nuclear Emergency Response Plan (PNERP) Master Plan. To participate in this consultation process, the public can submit comments to the email or mailing address identified in this notice.

Comments will be accepted for 74 calendar days from the date of this notice.

Description of policy

MCSCS is working with federal, provincial, municipal and nuclear generating station partners to establish a sound and scientifically defensible Planning Basis for the PNERP. To inform this work, evidence from a variety of sources was examined, including multi-unit accident scenarios and health consequence studies. MCSCS is seeking public input on a Planning Basis discussion paper and proposed updates to the PNERP Master Plan (attached to this notice). This input will inform the final proposed update to the Master Plan.

An independent expert advisory group established by the province will review the public comments and provide impartial advice on how feedback should be incorporated into the Master Plan. The advisory group will be composed of leading experts in the fields of emergency management, nuclear and radiation safety, and nuclear emergency response.

Purpose of policy

The PNERP is mandated by section 8 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act which requires a provincial emergency plan for emergencies arising in connection with nuclear facilities. MCSCS works with stakeholders at the federal, provincial, municipal and nuclear generating station levels to plan for a nuclear emergency through the PNERP.

The PNERP Master Plan sets out the overall principles, policies, basic concepts, organizational structures and responsibilities, functions, and inter-relationships that govern nuclear emergency management in Ontario. The Ontario government is responsible for planning and leading the response to off-site effects of a nuclear emergency by supporting and coordinating the efforts of organizations with nuclear emergency responsibilities (e.g., provincial ministries, municipalities, nuclear generating stations, federal agencies, etc.). The federal government licenses nuclear generating station operators who are responsible for on-site effects and response to a nuclear emergency.

The full text of the current PNERP Master Plan is available on the ministry’s website.

Public consultation

This proposal was posted for a 74 day public review and comment period starting May 15, 2017. Comments were to be received by July 28, 2017.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

Other public consultation opportunities

Members of the public are invited to provide comments on the attached documents. Comments must be received within 74 days from the posting of this notice. For more information, or to submit comments, please email pnerpconsultation@ontario.ca or contact:

Leslie Coleman, Manager
Community Safety and Intergovernmental Policy Branch
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
25 Grosvenor Street, 9^th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 1Y6
Phone: (416) 212-3556

Please note that personal information provided in a submission (such as name, address, and telephone number) and views and opinions are being collected by MCSCS for the purpose of engaging in public consultation and making decisions regarding proposed updates to the PNERP Master Plan. The collection, use, and disclosure of this information are all governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Questions about the collection of this information should be directed to the contact listed above.