Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act

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Sections294

• 1Short title

  This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act.

• 2Definitions

  The following definitions apply in this Act.

• 2[p2]

  approved insurer means an insurer or association of insurers that is designated under section 29 as an approved insurer. (assureur agréé)

• 2[p3]

  Contracting State means a State that has ratified, accepted or approved the Convention in accordance with its Article XVIII or that has acceded to it in accordance with its Article XIX. (État contractant)

• 2[p4]

  Convention means the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, done at Vienna on September 12, 1997 and signed by Canada on December 3, 2013, as amended from time to time. (Convention)

• 2[p5]

  Installation State means a Contracting State within whose territory is situated a nuclear installation as defined in Article 1.I(b) of the Annex to the Convention or, if the nuclear installation is not within the territory of a Contracting State, the Contracting State by which or under whose authority the nuclear installation is operated. (État où se trouve l’installation)

• 2[p6]

  nuclear fuel means material that is capable of a self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction. (combustible nucléaire)

• 2[p7]

  nuclear incident means an occurrence or a series of occurrences having the same origin that causes damage for which an operator is liable under this Act. (accident nucléaire)

• 2[p8]

  nuclear installation means, other than in the definition Installation State and subparagraphs 9(1)(b.1)(i) and (b.2)(i) and 9(4)(b)(i) and (c)(i) of the English version, any site or means of transport that is designated under section 7 as a nuclear installation. (établissement nucléaire)

• 2[p9]

  nuclear material means

• 2[p9](a)

  nuclear fuel, other than natural uranium or depleted uranium, that can produce energy by a self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction outside a nuclear reactor, either alone or in combination with another material; and

• 2[p9](b)

  radioactive products or waste, other than radioisotopes that have reached the final stage of fabrication so as to be usable for any scientific, medical, agricultural, commercial or industrial purpose. (matière nucléaire)

• 2[p12]

  nuclear reactor means a structure containing nuclear fuel arranged such that a self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction can occur in the structure without an additional source of neutrons. (réacteur nucléaire)

• 2[p13]

  operator means a person who is designated by a regulation made under section 7 as an operator. (exploitant)

• 2[p14]

  public funds means an amount that Contracting States must contribute when a call for funds is made under Article VII.1 of the Convention. (fonds publics)

• 2[p15]

  radioactive products or waste means

• 2[p15](a)

  radioactive material that is produced in the production or use of nuclear fuel other than natural uranium or depleted uranium; or

• 2[p15](b)

  material that is made radioactive by exposure to radiation consequential on or incidental to the production or use of nuclear fuel other than natural uranium or depleted uranium. (produit ou déchet radioactif)

• 2[p18]

  Tribunal means a nuclear claims tribunal established under subsection 41(1). (Tribunal)

• 3Civil liability and compensation

  The purpose of this Act is to govern civil liability and compensation for damage in case of a nuclear incident.

• 4Minister

  The Governor in Council may, by order, designate a minister of the Crown to be the Minister referred to in this Act.

• 5Non-application — war, etc.
• 5(1)

  This Act does not apply to a nuclear incident that results from an act of war, hostilities, civil war or insurrection, other than a terrorist activity as defined in subsection 83.01(1) of the Criminal Code.

• 5(2)Non-application — damage to nuclear installation

  This Act does not apply to damage to the nuclear installation of an operator who is responsible for that damage or to any property at the installation that is used in connection with the installation, including property under construction.

• 6Binding on Her Majesty

  This Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province.

• 7Designation of nuclear installations
• 7(1)

  The Governor in Council may, on the Minister’s recommendation and after consultation with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, designate by regulation any site at which is located a facility or facilities that are authorized by a licence issued under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and that contain nuclear material as a nuclear installation.

• 7(2)Description of site and designation of operator

  The regulation must describe the site, list the facilities on it that are authorized to contain nuclear material and designate the holder of a licence described in subsection (1) as the operator of the nuclear installation.

• 7(3)Coming into force

  The regulation may be made before a licence has been issued, but it must not come into force before the day on which the licence is issued.

• 7(4)Designation of means of transport

  The Governor in Council may, on the Minister’s recommendation and after consultation with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, designate by regulation any means of transport that is equipped with a nuclear reactor as a nuclear installation and designate by regulation the holder of a licence issued under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act respecting that means of transport as the operator of the nuclear installation.

• 8Limitation

  An operator is not liable for damage that is caused by a nuclear incident except for any liability that is provided for under this Act.

• 9Liability — Canada
• 9(1)

  An operator — and no person other than an operator — is liable for damage that is caused within Canada or its exclusive economic zone by

• 9(1)(a)

  ionizing radiation emitted from any source of radiation within, or released from, the operator’s nuclear installation;

• 9(1)(b)

  ionizing radiation emitted from nuclear material being transported

• 9(1)(b)(i)

  from the operator’s nuclear installation until it is placed in another nuclear installation or until liability is assumed by the operator of that other nuclear installation, under the terms of a written contract,

• 9(1)(b)(ii)Repealed

  [Repealed, 2015, c. 4, s. 121]

• 9(1)(b)(iii)

  from the operator’s nuclear installation to a person who is within the territory of a State that is not a Contracting State until it is unloaded from the means of transport by which it arrived in that State, or

• 9(1)(b)(iv)

  with the operator’s written consent, from a person who is within the territory of a State that is not a Contracting State to the operator’s installation, from the time that it is loaded on the means of transport by which it is to be carried from that State;

• 9(1)(b.1)

  ionizing radiation emitted from nuclear material being transported from the operator’s nuclear installation

• 9(1)(b.1)(i)

  before liability is assumed under the terms of a written contract, by a person who is within the territory of a Contracting State other than Canada and who is designated or recognized under the laws of that State as operating a nuclear installation as defined in Article 1.I(b) of the Annex to the Convention, or

• 9(1)(b.1)(ii)

  in the absence of a contract, before that person takes charge of the nuclear material;

• 9(1)(b.2)

  ionizing radiation emitted from nuclear material being transported to the operator’s nuclear installation

• 9(1)(b.2)(i)

  after liability is assumed by the operator under the terms of a written contract, from a person who is within the territory of a Contracting State other than Canada and who is designated or recognized under the laws of that State as operating a nuclear installation as defined in Article 1.I(b) of the Annex to the Convention, or

• 9(1)(b.2)(ii)

  in the absence of a contract, after the operator takes charge of the nuclear material; or

• 9(1)(c)

  a combination of the radioactive properties and toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of a source referred to in paragraph (a) or nuclear material referred to in paragraph (b), (b.1) or (b.2).

• 9(2)Preventive measure — liability in Canada

  An operatorand no person other than an operator — is liable for damage that is caused within Canada or its exclusive economic zone if the damage is caused by a preventive measure that is taken under subsection — 20(1) in relation to that operator’s nuclear installation or in relation to any transportation for which the operator is responsible.

• 9(3)Repealed

  [Repealed, 2015, c. 4, s. 121]

• 9(4)Additional liability — Contracting State other than Canada

  An operator — and no person other than an operator — is liable for damage that is caused within a Contracting State other than Canada or within that State’s exclusive economic zone by

• 9(4)(a)

  ionizing radiation emitted from any source of radiation within, or released from, the operator’s nuclear installation;

• 9(4)(b)

  ionizing radiation emitted from nuclear material being transported from the operator’s nuclear installation

• 9(4)(b)(i)

  before liability is assumed, under the terms of a written contract, by a person who is within the territory of the Contracting State other than Canada and who is designated or recognized under the laws of that State as operating a nuclear installation as defined in Article 1.I(b) of the Annex to the Convention, or

• 9(4)(b)(ii)

  in the absence of a contract, before that person takes charge of the nuclear material;

• 9(4)(c)

  ionizing radiation emitted from nuclear material being transported to the operator’s nuclear installation

• 9(4)(c)(i)

  after liability is assumed by the operator, under the terms of a written contract, from a person who is within the territory of the Contracting State other than Canada and who is designated or recognized under the laws of that State as operating a nuclear installation as defined in Article 1.I(b) of the Annex to the Convention, or

• 9(4)(c)(ii)

  in the absence of a contract, after the operator takes charge of the nuclear material; or

• 9(4)(d)

  a combination of the radioactive properties and toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of a source referred to in paragraph (a) or nuclear material referred to in paragraph (b) or (c).

• 9(5)Preventive measure — liability in Contracting State other than Canada

  An operator — and no person other than an operator — is liable for any damage that is caused within a Contracting State other than Canada or within that State’s exclusive economic zone if the damage is caused by a preventive measure that is taken under subsection 21(1) in relation to that operator’s nuclear installation or in relation to any transportation for which the operator is responsible.

• 9(6)Additional liability — transportation to or from non-contracting State

  An operator — and no person other than an operator — is liable for damage that is caused within a Contracting State other than Canada or within that State’s exclusive economic zone by

• 9(6)(a)

  ionizing radiation emitted from nuclear material being transported

• 9(6)(a)(i)

  from the operator’s nuclear installation to a person who is within the territory of a State that is not a Contracting State until it is unloaded from the means of transport by which it arrived in that State; or

• 9(6)(a)(ii)

  with the operator’s written consent, from a person who is within the territory of a State that is not a Contracting State to the operator’s nuclear installation, from the time it is loaded on the means of transport by which it is to be carried from that State; or

• 9(6)(b)

  a combination of the radioactive properties and toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of nuclear material referred to in paragraph (a).

• 10Absolute liability
• 10(1)

  The liability of an operator for damage that is caused by a nuclear incident is absolute.

• 10(2)Tort or fault

  For the purposes of subsection (1), no proof of tort or of fault within the meaning of the Civil Code of Québec is required.

• 11Liability — jointly and severally, or solidarily

  If liability under this Act is incurred by two or more operators, each is jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable to the extent that it cannot reasonably be determined what portion of the liability is attributable to each operator.

• 12Person responsible for nuclear incident

  An operator is not liable for damage that is suffered by a person if that person intentionally caused the nuclear incident wholly or partly by an act or omission or under circumstances amounting to gross negligence or, in Quebec, gross fault.

• 13No recourse

  In respect of damage that is caused by a nuclear incident, an operator has no right of recourse against any person other than an individual who intentionally caused the nuclear incident by an act or omission.

• 14Bodily injury or damage to property

  Bodily injury or death and damage to property that are caused by a nuclear incident are compensable.

• 15Psychological trauma

  Psychological trauma that is suffered by a person is compensable if it results from bodily injury to that person that was caused by a nuclear incident.

• 16Liability for economic loss

  Economic loss that is incurred by a person as a result of their bodily injury or damage to their property and that is caused by a nuclear incident, or psychological trauma that results from that bodily injury, is compensable.

• 17Costs and wages
• 17(1)

  The costs that are incurred by a person who loses the use of property as a result of a nuclear incident and the resulting wage loss by that person’s employees are compensable.

• 17(2)Power failure

  If a nuclear incident occurs at a nuclear installation that generates electricity, the costs resulting from a failure of the installation to provide electricity are not compensable under subsection (1).

• 18Environmental damage — Canada

  Reasonable costs of remedial measures that are taken to repair, reduce or mitigate environmental damage that is caused by a nuclear incident are compensable if the measures are ordered by an authority acting under federal or provincial legislation relating to environmental protection.

• 19Environmental damage — Contracting State other than Canada

  Unless the damage is insignificant, reasonable costs of remedial measures that are taken to repair, reduce or mitigate environmental damage that is caused by a nuclear incident are compensable if the measures are ordered by an authority of a Contracting State other than Canada acting under the laws of that State relating to environmental protection.

• 20Preventive measures — Canada
• 20(1)

  If an authority — acting under a nuclear emergency scheme established under federal or provincial legislation — has recommended that measures be taken in a specified area to prevent damage, the following costs and losses of persons who live in, carry on business in, work in or are present in the area are compensable:

• 20(1)(a)

  the reasonable costs of the measures; and

• 20(1)(b)

  the costs and economic loss — including lost wages — arising from the loss of use of property.

• 20(2)Non-application

  For greater certainty, any federal, provincial or municipal authority, or any of its agencies, that establishes or implements a nuclear emergency scheme is not to be compensated under subsection (1).

• 21Preventive measures — Contracting State other than Canada
• 21(1)

  If an authority — acting under an emergency scheme established under the laws of a Contracting State other than Canada — has recommended that, because of grave and imminent danger of damage, measures be taken in a specified area to prevent such damage, the following costs and losses of persons who live in, carry on business in, work in or are present in the area are compensable:

• 21(1)(a)

  the reasonable costs of the measures; and

• 21(1)(b)

  the costs and economic loss — including lost wages — arising from the loss of use of property.

• 21(2)Non-application

  For greater certainty, any authority, or any of its agencies, that establishes or implements a nuclear emergency scheme is not to be compensated under subsection (1).

• 22Damage attributable to concomitant nuclear incidents

  Any damage resulting from a nuclear incident and any concomitant non-nuclear incident is deemed to be damage that is caused by the nuclear incident to the extent that it cannot be identified as having been caused only by the non-nuclear incident.

• 23Damage to means of transport, structure or site

  If a nuclear incident occurs during the transportation of nuclear material to or from a nuclear installation, or any storage incidental to the transportation, damage to the means of transport or the structure or site where the nuclear material is stored is not compensable under this Act.

• 24Limit of operator’s liability
• 24(1)

  The liability of an operator under this Act for damage resulting from a nuclear incident is limited to

• 24(1)(a)

  $650 million for a nuclear incident arising within one year after the day on which this paragraph comes into force;

• 24(1)(b)

  $750 million for a nuclear incident arising within one year after the year referred to in paragraph (a);

• 24(1)(c)

  $850 million for a nuclear incident arising within one year after the year referred to in paragraph (b); and

• 24(1)(d)

  $1 billion for a nuclear incident arising after the year referred to in paragraph (c).

• 24(2)Amendment to amount of liability

  The Governor in Council may, by regulation,

• 24(2)(a)

  amend subsection (1) to increase any amount of liability; or

• 24(2)(b)

  reduce the amount of liability applicable to an operator of a nuclear installation, or operators of a class of nuclear installations, having regard to the nature of the installation and the nuclear material contained in it.

• 24(3)Clarification

  Subsection (1) does not relieve an operator from payment of the costs of administering claims, court costs or interest on compensation.

• 25Liability — transportation

  If a nuclear incident occurs during the transportation of nuclear material or storage incidental to the transportation and more than one operator is liable for the damage that is caused by that nuclear incident, the total liability of those operators is limited to the amount referred to in subsection 24(1) in relation to one operator.

• 26Review by Minister
• 26(1)

  The Minister must review the limit of liability, referred to in subsection 24(1), on a regular basis and at least once every five years.

• 26(2)Criteria

  In carrying out the review, the Minister must have regard to

• 26(2)(a)

  changes in the Consumer Price Index, as published by Statistics Canada under the authority of the Statistics Act;

• 26(2)(b)

  financial security requirements under international agreements respecting nuclear liability; and

• 26(2)(c)

  any other considerations that the Minister considers relevant.

• 27Operator’s obligation
• 27(1)

  An operator, other than a department listed in Schedule I to the Financial Administration Act, must maintain, for each of the operator’s nuclear installations, financial security to compensate persons who suffer damage that is caused by a nuclear incident in an amount that is equal to the amount referred to in subsection 24(1) or, if the operator is subject to a regulation made under paragraph 24(2)(b), the amount set out in that regulation.

• 27(2)Foreign operator’s obligation — transporting nuclear material within Canada

  The Minister may require an operator, as defined in Article 1.I(d) of the Annex to the Convention but who is not an operator as defined in section 2 of this Act, and who is transporting nuclear material within Canada to maintain financial security in an amount prescribed by regulation but not more than the amount referred to in subsection 24(1) to compensate persons who suffer damage that is caused by a nuclear incident.

• 27(3)Non-application

  Subsection (2) does not apply

• 27(3)(a)

  to transport by sea if, under international law, there is a right of entry into a Canadian port in a case of distress, or if there is a right of innocent passage through Canadian territory; and

• 27(3)(b)

  to transport by air if, under an agreement to which Canada is a party or under international law, there is a right to fly over or land on Canadian territory.

• 27(4)Use of financial security

  The financial security is not to be used by an operator referred to in subsection (1) to pay their costs of administering claims, court costs, legal fees or interest on compensation.

• 28Insurance
• 28(1)

  The financial security is to be in the form of insurance with an approved insurer, containing only the terms and conditions set out in a standard insurance policy that is approved by the Minister.

• 28(2)Alternate financial security

  The Minister may enter into an agreement with the operator that authorizes that a portion of the financial security be an alternate financial security.

• 28(3)Maximum amount of financial security

  The amount of the alternate financial security must not, unless another percentage has been fixed by regulation, exceed 50% of the operator’s liability that is applicable under section 24.

• 28(4)Terms of agreement

  The agreement must identify the financial instrument being used as the alternate financial security, specify its dollar value and set out any conditions that the Minister considers appropriate, including a requirement that the operator submit reports or allow the Minister to undertake financial audits in respect of the security or that the operator pay a fee for the authorization of the security or for the audits.

• 28(5)Amendment or revocation

  The Minister may amend the conditions of an agreement or revoke an agreement.

• 29Approved insurer

  The Minister may, subject to any terms and conditions that he or she may impose, designate as an approved insurer any insurer or association of insurers that, in his or her opinion, is qualified to fulfill the obligations of an approved insurer under this Act.

• 30Suspension or cancellation

  An approved insurer or any provider of an alternate financial security referred to in subsection 28(2) may suspend or cancel an operator’s insurance or alternate financial security only if written notice is given to the Minister at least two months before the suspension or cancellation, but, if the insurance or security relates to the transportation of nuclear material, the cancellation or suspension is not to take effect during the period of transportation to which it relates.

• 31Indemnity agreements — general rule
• 31(1)

  The Minister may enter into an indemnity agreement with an operator under which Her Majesty in right of Canada covers any risks that, in the Minister’s opinion, would not be assumed by an approved insurer.

• 31(2)Indemnity agreements — operator subject to regulation made under paragraph 24(2)(b)

  If the nuclear damage is caused by an operator who is subject to a regulation made under paragraph 24(2)(b) and that damage exceeds that operator’s liability under that regulation, the indemnity agreement may also provide that Her Majesty in right of Canada must cover that operator for the difference between the operator’s liability under the regulation and the liability of any other operator under subsection 24(1). Despite the indemnity agreement, the operator remains liable for the damage.

• 31(3)Fees

  Any indemnity agreement may provide for the payment of fees to Her Majesty in right of Canada.

• 31(4)Tabling of agreements

  The Minister must cause a copy of each indemnity agreement that is entered into under this section to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first 30 days on which that House is sitting after the agreement is entered into.

• 32Nuclear Liability Account
• 32(1)

  The Nuclear Liability Reinsurance Account, established in the accounts of Canada under the Nuclear Liability Act, is continued as the Nuclear Liability Account to which are to be

• 32(1)(a)

  credited all amounts received by Her Majesty in right of Canada as fees under an indemnity agreement; and

• 32(1)(b)

  charged all amounts that are payable by Her Majesty in right of Canada under an indemnity agreement.

• 32(2)Advances to account out of C.R.F.

  If the amount standing to the credit of the Nuclear Liability Account is insufficient for the payment of the amounts that are required under the terms of an indemnity agreement, an amount that is sufficient to meet the deficit is, with the Minister of Finance’s approval, to be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and credited to the Nuclear Liability Account.

• 33Certain rights and obligations not limited

  Nothing in this Act is to be construed as limiting any right or obligation arising under

• 33(a)

  any contract of insurance;

• 33(b)

  any scheme or system of health insurance, employees’ compensation or occupational disease compensation; and

• 33(c)

  any survivor or disability provision of a pension plan.

• 34Where action is to be brought
• 34(1)

  An action involving damage that is caused by a nuclear incident is to be brought in the court in Canada that has jurisdiction in the place where the incident occurs.

• 34(2)Federal Court jurisdiction

  The Federal Court has jurisdiction if the nuclear incident occurs

• 34(2)(a)

  in more than one province;

• 34(2)(b)

  partly within a province and partly within Canada’s exclusive economic zone; or

• 34(2)(c)

  within Canada’s exclusive economic zone.

• 34(3)Additional jurisdiction of Federal Court

  If the nuclear incident occurs outside the territory or the exclusive economic zone of any Contracting State, or the place where the nuclear incident occurred cannot be determined with certainty, the Federal Court has jurisdiction if the nuclear incident is caused by an operator.

• 34(4)Concurrent jurisdiction

  If a court of a Contracting State other than Canada has concurrent jurisdiction for a claim or action for damage under this Act, Canada and the other Contracting State must determine, by agreement, which court is to have exclusive jurisdiction.

• 34(5)Recognition of foreign judgments

  A court of competent jurisdiction in Canada must, as soon as feasible on receipt of an application, recognize and enforce a judgment of a court of a Contracting State other than Canada that, in addition to meeting the criteria under Canadian law for being recognized in Canada, is rendered in accordance with the Convention.

• 34(6)Restriction on jurisdiction

  Except as provided in this Act, no court in Canada and no tribunal has jurisdiction to entertain any application or grant any relief or remedy relating to damage that occurs outside Canada or its exclusive economic zone.

• 35Limitation on bringing actions and claims
• 35(1)

  An action or claim must be brought within three years

• 35(1)(a)

  in the case of an action or claim for loss of life, after the day on which the person bringing the action or making the claim had knowledge or ought reasonably to have had knowledge of both the loss of life and the identity of the operator who is responsible for the loss of life;

• 35(1)(b)

  in the case where conclusive evidence of the loss of life is not available, after the day on which both an order presuming the person to be dead is made by a court having jurisdiction and the person bringing the action or making the claim had knowledge or ought reasonably to have had knowledge of the identity of the operator who is responsible for the presumed loss of life; and

• 35(1)(c)

  in any other case, after the day on which the person bringing the action or making the claim had knowledge or ought reasonably to have had knowledge of both the damage and the identity of the operator who is responsible for the damage.

• 35(2)Absolute limit

  No action or claim is to be brought

• 35(2)(a)

  in relation to bodily injury or death, 30 years after the day on which the nuclear incident to which the action or claim relates occurred; and

• 35(2)(b)

  in any other case, 10 years after the day on which the nuclear incident to which the action or claim relates occurred.

• 35(3)Exception

  Despite subsection (2), if the damage is the result of a nuclear incident involving nuclear material that was, at the time of the nuclear incident, lost, stolen, jettisoned or abandoned, no action or claim is to be brought 20 years after the day on which the loss, theft, jettison or abandonment occurred.

• 35(4)Extension of period

  The Governor in Council may, by regulation, extend the period set out in subsection (1).

• 36Declaration
• 36(1)

  The Governor in Council may declare that claims in respect of a nuclear incident are to be dealt with by a Tribunal, if he or she believes that it is in the public interest to do so, having regard to the extent and the estimated cost of the damage, and the advantages of having the claims dealt with by an administrative tribunal.

• 36(2)Publication

  The declaration is not a statutory instrument for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act, but it must be published, without delay, in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

• 37Effect of declaration
• 37(1)

  Section 34 ceases to apply in respect of a nuclear incident on the day on which a declaration is made under subsection 36(1), and any proceedings brought or taken before the declaration is made are discontinued.

• 37(2)New jurisdiction

  Any claims that could have been made before the declaration is made are, after the day on which it is made, only to be brought before the Tribunal.

• 38Report on nuclear incident

  The Minister must, without delay, after a declaration is made under subsection 36(1), cause a report estimating the cost of the indemnification for the damage arising from a nuclear incident to be laid before each House of Parliament.

• 39Interim financial assistance
• 39(1)

  During the period that begins when a declaration is made under subsection 36(1) and ends when the notice is published under subsection 42(2), the Minister may pay interim financial assistance to persons who, in the Minister’s opinion, have suffered damage as a result of the nuclear incident to which the declaration relates. The Minister must inform the Tribunal of the names of those persons and the amounts paid.

• 39(2)Maximum amount

  The maximum amount that is to be paid under subsection (1) must not exceed 20% of the difference between

• 39(2)(a)

  the amount set out in subsection 24(1), and

• 39(2)(b)

  the total amounts that are paid by the operator, before the declaration is made under subsection 36(1), to compensate persons for damage arising from the nuclear incident.

• 40Power to make agreements

  The Minister may enter into an agreement with any person, association of insurers or province for the carrying out of the Minister’s duties or functions by that person, association of insurers or province in relation to the payment of interim financial assistance.

• 41Tribunal’s establishment
• 41(1)

  The Governor in Council must, as soon as feasible after a declaration is made under subsection 36(1), establish a nuclear claims Tribunal and designate the location of its head office in Canada.

• 41(2)Purpose

  The Tribunal’s purpose is to examine and adjudicate claims for damage arising from the nuclear incident as expeditiously as the circumstances and considerations of fairness permit.

• 41(3)Claims treated equitably

  The Tribunal must carry out its duties and functions with respect to claims for damage in an equitable manner, without discrimination on the basis of nationality or residence.

• 42Public notice
• 42(1)

  The Tribunal must notify the public, in a manner that it considers appropriate, of the details of its purpose and how to obtain information on bringing a claim.

• 42(2)Publication

  A notice of the Tribunal’s purpose and how to obtain information on bringing a claim must also be published, without delay, in the Canada Gazette.

• 43Members of Tribunal
• 43(1)

  The Governor in Council must appoint a minimum of five persons to the Tribunal, one of whom is to be designated as the chairperson.

• 43(2)Members’ qualifications

  A majority of the members of the Tribunal are to be appointed from among persons who are sitting or retired judges of a superior court or members of at least 10 years’ standing at the bar of a province or the Chambre des notaires du Québec.

• 43(3)Remuneration

  The members are to be paid the remuneration and expenses fixed by the Governor in Council.

• 44Term of office

  Each member of the Tribunal is to be appointed to hold office during good behaviour for a term that the Governor in Council considers appropriate and may be removed for cause.

• 45Immunity

  No civil proceedings lie against any member of the Tribunal for anything done or omitted to be done by the member in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of a power or in the performance or purported performance of a duty or function of the Tribunal.

• 46Tribunal’s staff

  The Tribunal may employ the staff that it considers necessary for the proper conduct of its duties or functions, prescribe their duties and, subject to any regulations, their terms and conditions of employment and, with the approval of the Treasury Board, fix and pay their remuneration.

• 47Technical or specialized knowledge

  The Tribunal may engage, on a temporary basis, the services of counsel and other persons having technical or specialized knowledge to assist the Tribunal in its work, establish the terms and conditions of their employment and, with the approval of the Treasury Board, fix and pay their remuneration and expenses.

• 48Inconsistency

  In the event of an inconsistency between a provision of the Judges Act and any provision of this Act that is applicable to a sitting or retired judge, the Judges Act prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

• 49Hearings

  The Tribunal is to hold its hearings in Canada at the times and locations that it considers appropriate.

• 50Intervenor

  The Attorney General of Canada and the competent authority of any other Contracting State may intervene in proceedings that are before the Tribunal.

• 51Powers — witnesses and documents
• 51(1)

  The Tribunal has, with respect to the attendance, swearing and examination of witnesses, the production and inspection of documents, the enforcement of its orders and other matters that are necessary or proper for the due exercise of its jurisdiction, all of the powers, rights and privileges that are vested in a superior court.

• 51(2)Evidence at hearings

  The Tribunal is not, in the hearing of any claim, bound by the legal rules of evidence, but it must not receive as evidence anything that would be inadmissible in a court by reason of any privilege under the law of evidence.

• 51(3)Foreign evidence

  The Tribunal may issue commissions to take evidence outside Canada and may make orders for that purpose and for the return and use of the evidence so obtained.

• 52Examinations

  The Tribunal may require persons claiming compensation to undergo medical or other examinations that are, in the Tribunal’s opinion, reasonably necessary to enable it to determine their claims.

• 53Frivolous or vexatious claims

  The Tribunal may refuse to hear any claim referred to it that it considers to be frivolous or vexatious.

• 54Report on Tribunal’s activities

  The Tribunal must, at the Minister’s request, submit to him or her a report on its activities. The Minister must cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after he or she receives it.

• 55Rules

  The Tribunal may make any rules that it considers necessary for the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties and functions, including rules respecting

• 55(a)

  procedures for bringing claims;

• 55(b)

  the form and manner in which evidence is to be submitted;

• 55(c)

  a quorum;

• 55(d)

  procedures that claims officers are to follow in dealing with claims;

• 55(e)

  fees and travel expenses that are to be paid to witnesses;

• 55(f)

  the allowance of costs; and