‘Technical breaches’ and ‘eroding margins of safety’ – Rhetoric and reality of the nuclear industry in Canada

This article analyzes the rhetoric and reality of the nuclear energy sector in Ontario, Canada. Specifically, we use discourse-analysis of self-representations and public reports to examine strategies employed by the sector to increase trust and public confidence in order to receive ‘social license’. We postulate that the sector's ability to characterize itself as highly reliable, socially responsible, transparent and trustworthy is important for this endeavor. Our analysis shows that although there have been significant changes in self-representation, transparency and outreach, uncertainties remain in regard to disclosure and openness on safety issues as bases of community trust and complete independence of the regulator.