Best Theratronics Class 1B licence application

Environmental assessment (EA) start date: November 2, 2012
CEAR reference number: 80022
Proponent: Best Theratronics Limited
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Latest update

• April 1, 2014: At the time that Best Theratronics Ltd. submitted their application, an EA was carried out under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012). When the Regulations Designating Physical Activities under CEAA 2012 were amended in October 2013, an EA under that Act was no longer required. However, the CNSC completed an EA under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, to ensure the protection of the environment and the health and safety of workers and the public.
  The public hearing on May 8, 2014 on Best Theratronics’ request for a Class 1B licence will take into consideration the findings of the EA.
• February 1, 2013: Request for public comment – Draft environmental assessment report – Best Theratronics Class 1B licence application

Project description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received a licence application from Best Theratronics Ltd. (BTL) to consolidate four existing licenses for BTL's facility in west Ottawa into a single Class 1B licence. BTL is already licensed to import, export, transfer, and store radiological materials at their facility.  The proposed new Class 1B licence would include the existing licensed activities, in addition to the construction and operation (for testing purposes) of linear accelerators and cyclotrons.

The infrastructure associated with BTL's proposal to construct and operate linear accelerators and cyclotrons is already present in the BTL building, with two exceptions.  BTL would require undertaking the following activities:

• retrofitting the building interior to add a shielding bunker for cyclotron testing up to 70 MeV
• adding safety and security devices to areas of the facility (cells 1 through 3) that would be used for testing linear accelerators up to 25 MeV

CNSC authorization, in the form of a new Class 1B licence, is required for BTL to carry out their proposed activities, as per subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA).

Before the CNSC can consider any licensing actions under the NSCA regarding BTL's proposal, an EA must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an EA is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Further information

The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its environmental assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request. For questions or information directly related to this environmental assessment, contact the CNSC.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.