Aboriginal Consultation for Siting and Construction of Small Modular Reactors

Abstract

Aboriginal consultation is a duty of the Crown. Licensing decisions made by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and decisions are required to consider a project’s impacts on aboriginal treaty rights. There is great potential for Small Modular Reactor construction in Canada’s north. In order for such projects to be successful, early Aboriginal consultation is of utmost importance. The objective of this paper is to outline an approach to Aboriginal consultation that furthers the interests of both the proponent and the Aboriginal communities impacted by Small Modular Reactor projects. Proponents need to allow sufficient time to complete the consultation. Progress may appear slow to proponents who do not enter into the process with full awareness of the aboriginal expectation of the process. Such discussions require that a trust relationship exists between the proponent and the aboriginal community. To build this foundation, the proponent must spend time in the community getting to know what holds meaning for the Aboriginal people. This paper is prepared in consideration of REGDOC-3.2.2, Aboriginal Engagement.