News
Reply from Minister of Natural Resources
Posted at 05/07/10 - 09:57 AM
CREATE received the following letter from the Minister of Natural Resources, dated April 30, 2010.
---
Dear Mr. Tapp:
Thank you for your letter of February 1, 2010, regarding the future of the Chalk River Laboratories (CRL).
I welcome the engagement and initiative shown by the Chalk River employees in preparing the proposal you have sent me. This proposal is valuable input into the restructuring of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), as it relates to the CRL.
As you are aware, the restructuring of AECL is currently focused on the commercial reactor division, where the Government has invited interested investors to submit proposals that will be weighed against our policy objectives: ensuring that Canada has safe, reliable and economic options to address its energy and environmental needs; controlling the costs of the government's support of the nuclear industry while maximizing the return on its investment; and positioning Canada's nuclear industry to seize market opportunities at home and abroad.
The skills and expertise as well as the intellectual property developed by AECL's employees are regarded as world-class. This is a fact that all Canadians and I recognize. As the Government moves forward with the restructuring process, an overriding objective is to retain high-skilled jobs and create new opportunities for those employed in the Canadian nuclear industry so as to foster continued success in the future.
The Government will consider possible options for the CRL's management structure once the National Research Universal reactor is back in service. I assure you that your proposal will be given careful consideration as part of this review. I can also assure you that AECL's Board of Directors and management are fully engaged in the restructuring process, and that you will be informed of any developments regarding the future of the CRL.
I appreciate that this is a time of uncertainty for AECL employees, and the Government is committed that their interests will be at the forefront of its considerations.
Again, thank you for writing on this important matter.
Yours sincerely,
The Honourable Christian Paradis, P.C., M.P. (Megantic-L'Erable)
