Her Majesty in right of Canada may recover the costs and expenses reasonably incurred while taking any measures under section 17 or 19.

The costs and expenses may be recovered jointly and severally from any persons who, through their fault or negligence or that of others for whom they are by law responsible, caused or contributed to the circumstances necessitating the measures.

For the purposes of proceedings under this section, a defendant engaged in an activity in relation to which this Act applies shall be presumed to have been at fault or negligent unless it is established, on a balance of probabilities, that the defendant and any others for whom the defendant is by law responsible took all reasonable measures to comply with this Act and the regulations.

All claims under this section may be sued for and recovered by Her Majesty in right of Canada with costs in proceedings brought or taken for the claims in the name of Her Majesty in right of Canada in any court of competent jurisdiction.

This section does not limit or restrict any right of recourse or indemnity that any person who is liable under subsection (1) may have against any other person.

No civil remedy for any act or omission is suspended or affected by reason only that the act or omission is an offence under this Act or gives rise to liability under this section.

Nothing in this section relieves an operator, as defined in section 2 of the Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act, from any duty or liability imposed on them under that Act.

Proceedings in respect of a claim under this section may be instituted no later than two years after the day the events in respect of which the proceedings are instituted occurred or became evident.