Concerns Over Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine

"Ongoing military activities have eroded safety systems, disrupted routine maintenance, weakened emergency response capabilities and impacted operating staff, increasing the risk of a severe accident [at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant complex in Ukraine]."

"No immediate protective measures would need to be implemented; [there is no foreseen] appreciable risk [to people in Canada]."

"Although there could be some controls put in place for imports from Ukraine and surrounding areas due to potential contamination."

"A timely and well-coordinated response will be necessary to address public concern and high risk perception, and maintain trust in government."

"[A national Missile Warning Protocol had been ratified and] initial engagement [with the provinces and territories had taken place]."

Internal Public Safety Canada 

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and the Dnipro River are seen on the other side of Nikopol, Ukraine. (Evgeniy Maloletka/The Associated Press)

The possibility -- remote or immediate -- of a tactical nuclear exchange taking place in Europe, or the potential of a spread of radiation from a power plant explosion in Ukraine has motivated Internal Public Safety Canada to update its emergency protocols. Measures, according to the release of the notes, include updating a highly secret plan to ensure continued functionality of the federal government within a severe crisis. 

Steps were underway to finalize a protocol for advising the Canadian public of an incoming ballistic missile, an issue the notes also address, according to The Canadian Press which obtained the notes under the Access to Information Act. A series of federal discussions and initiatives supporting Canada's catastrophic nuclear event preparedness was prompted with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.

The notes were prepared in advance of a meeting of senior bureaucrats involved in emergency management, arising out of concern focused on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine, hit by shelling. The anticipation was that the potential for an uncontrolled release of radioactivity through direct exposure or by eating contaminated food would be dependent on regional proximity to the plant. Potassium iodide pills were procured by Global Affairs Canada as a precaution, stocks distributed to Kyiv and other diplomatic missions.

 

Outside of Ukraine itself, following a major radiation release from Zaporizhzhya, no radiological effects to health were foreseen. Public Safety, under the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan, would coordinate communication to the public in the event of an international nuclear event. The Continuity of Constitutional Government plan was also undergoing a "rapid refresh" of the process for relocating key institutions such as Parliament and the Supreme Court to an alternate site outside the National Capital Region which could become a target of possible Russian retaliation of unfettered support of Ukraine.

Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine

 

"I think that shows a responsive system. It's actually very encouraging that they're taking a good, solid look at this now."

"[Overall, Canada has long had well-thought-out and developed plans for dealing with a nuclear emergency, given the number of power reactors on its soil]."

"I honestly believe that we're in decent shape. Can it get better? Yeah, anything can get better."

"[Although some sensitive material in the newly released notes was withheld from release, it] looked encouraging that they were addressing the right things."

Professor Ed Waller, researcher of nuclear security, Ontario Tech University

Brookings Institute