Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Environment Canada.

The participants of the present Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Environment Canada in carrying out their respective mandates shall cooperate and support each other, as appropriate, in meeting their responsibilities in relation to environmental conservation and protection and in other areas of mutual interest. The participants agree to: a)inform and advise each other on their current policies, programmes, standards and regulations or legislation concerning the protection of the environment, and the management of toxic substances in relation to nuclear facilities and activities of concern to each other; b) cooperate with each other on regulatory matters of mutual concern involving the nuclear industry; c) cooperate with each other in matters of mutual interest related to nuclear emergency preparedness and response. The Annex lays down provisions relating to the Environmental Occurrence Cooperation Protocol. For the purpose of the Protocol an "environmental occurrence" is a discharge into the natural environment, from or out of a structure, vehicle or other container that is abnormal in quality or quantity in light of all circumstances of the discharge or is out of the normal course of events. The Department and the Commission agree that notification of environmental occurrences is critical for the protection of the environment and human health.