An Act respecting civil liability and compensation for damage in case of a nuclear incident

Short title: Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act Bill C-15 (40-3) Status: At second reading in the House of Commons Type: House Government Bill Sponsor: Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources (Mégantic—L'Érable) Latest stage: First reading

Legislative

summary A legislative

summary is currently being prepared for this bill by the Parliamentary Information and Research Service of the Library of Parliament. Meanwhile, the following executive

summary is available.

On 16 April 2010, the Minister of Natural Resources introduced Bill C-15,

An Act respecting civil liability and compensation for damage in case of a nuclear incident (Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act), in the House of Commons and it was given first reading.

Bill C-15 establishes a specific civil liability regime with respect to nuclear incidents and repeals the Nuclear Liability Act, which previously provided for such a regime. Like that Act, it makes the operators of nuclear installations exclusively liable, but increases significantly (from $75 million to $650 million) the extent of their liability and the financial security that they are required to maintain. It also provides for the establishment of a special Tribunal to hear and decide claims.

The establishment of a form of civil liability and of a requirement to pay compensation in respect of damage caused by a nuclear incident is in line with efforts to manage and minimize the risks involved in the use of nuclear material. These efforts include measures for mitigation, preparation, response and reparation. The bill is chiefly concerned with the last of these measures.

The idea of a specific regime governing civil liability and compensation in case of a nuclear incident is based on the observation that private insurers have systematically and consistently refused to provide coverage for damage resulting from nuclear incidents. The establishment of such a regime makes it possible to fill this gap and provide coverage for such risks. House of Commons — First reading: Completed (2010-04-16) House of Commons — Second reading: Not completed

LEGISinfo: https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/40-3/c-15