16 Mar 2023
CANADIAN INSPECTION LTD. v. CANADIAN NUCLEAR SAFETY COMMISSION et al.
- Canadian Inspection Ltd (CIL) disputed the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's (Commission) licensing fees, arguing they were unfair for small businesses like theirs.
- CIL, an Edmonton-based non-destructive testing company, is led by CEO Donald Lucic, who filed for judicial review regarding the fee dispute.
- The company holds a license for industrial radiography and has objected to the annual fees, particularly criticizing the $270 hourly rate and the 32-hour base rate.
- CIL formally disputed the fees in 2020, suggesting adjustments to reflect their compliance with regulatory requirements and seeking a fee system re-evaluation.
- In 2022, CIL received an invoice for annual fees amounting to $10,449.00 and sought exemption, claiming it could be categorized as a post-secondary institution, which was denied by the Commission.
- CIL's final formal dispute requested a refund retroactive to 2015, challenging the fee calculation and the exemption denial.
- The Commission consistently responded that fees were lawfully calculated and that CIL didn't qualify for an educational institution exemption.
- CIL's application for judicial review was dismissed without costs due to the Commission's adequate engagement with the dispute and CIL's failure to raise substantial issues.