MP Gallant Supports Recommendation to Build New Multi-Purpose Reactor

December 04, 2009

Cheryl gallant, M.P., with AECL Executive Vice-President Bill Pilkington, (3rd from right) during a recent CRL site visit, receiving an upadte from CRL employees.


CHALK RIVER, ONTARIO… MP Cheryl Gallant, (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke) supports the recommendation, that the best option for Canada, is to build a new, multi-purpose research reactor. That recommendation was a key finding of the Report of the Expert Review Panel on Medical Isotope Production, recently released by the Minister of Natural Resources.

“I congratulate the Expert Panel on the thorough job it did in presenting the various options available. To quote the Report, “The lowest-risk path to new Mo-99/Tc-99m (medical isotope) production capacity is to build a new multi-purpose research reactor. The research reactor also promises the most associated benefits to Canadians based on its multiple purposes.”  It is further recognized that Canada has a mature and well-established infrastructure, that is located primarily at Chalk River,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP.  “The good news for the Upper Ottawa valley in this announcement is the recognition that time is critical. The Chalk River site presents the least obstacles when it comes to the required incumbent regulatory requirements. The Chalk River location also benefits from the presence of CFB Petawawa, one of Canada’s largest Army bases.”

The NRU research reactor is proven technology. Canada has over 50 years of experience to measure the success of the NRU. The Expert Panel correctly noted that use of an existing design would reduce the technical, licensing, construction and operational risks.

“As a Class One Nuclear Licensed Facility, Chalk River is a centre of excellence in nuclear technology. It only makes sense to maintain this site to preserve Canadian expertise and intellectual assets,” remarked Cheryl Gallant, MP.

Benefits to Canadians (from the Report):

“Of all the classes of technology proposed, this one has the highest potential for concomitant benefit to Canadians based on the promise of the broad-based research that would be undertaken, and its associated potential for generating intellectual property, job creation and training. It would also be integral in maintaining and growing the existing nuclear industry in Canada.

We strongly recommend technology options that can serve multiple purposes. Because of the multiple uses of the research reactor, it would have the broadest base of ancillary benefits and would tend to be the most adaptable to a changing marketplace.”