Nuclear Power Important To Canada

OTTAWA -- The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that nuclear power continues to be an important part of the Canadian energy mix, NRCan Minister Herb Dhaliwal told the Canadian Nuclear Association Industry Seminar on Tuesday, March 18. The Minister noted a number of positive new developments for the Canadian nuclear industry, including the completion of the first of two reactors at Qinshan, the work to build the second CANDU reactor at Cernavoda, Romania, the effort to site ITER, the international fusion research project, in Canada, and the future prospects of the AECL Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR).

"Nuclear – an energy source that produces no greenhouse gases – will have to play an important role in responding to the need for new and cleaner forms of energy," the Minister said, referring to the prospect of potential electricity shortages in Ontario.

The Minister stated that his Ministry was launching a study to find ways to enhance the competitiveness of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). He indicated the study would consider the full range of choices from status quo to privatization of commercial business.

The Minister congratulated the nuclear industry for its programs of social responsibility, noting the cleanup of historic wastes in the Port Hope area and the gold award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business awarded to Cameco Corporation for its activity and employment opportunities within aboriginal communities.

He also welcomed the industry’s current national advertising program explaining the benefits of nuclear power to the Canadian public and the industry’s participation in the government’s "Clean Electricity Generation" initiative.