Chalk River, Ontario… Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, was pleased to host Members of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources on April 13th, for a tour of the Chalk River Laboratories.
“As Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) reports to Parliament through the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, it was my distinct pleasure to host my parliamentary colleagues for a tour of the Chalk River site. The Committee is currently conducting a study on the status of the NRU reactor and the supply of medical isotopes. I felt it was important for the committee to witness first-hand the work that is being done to resume the Canadian supply of medical isotopes,” remarked Cheryl Gallant, MP.
The Committee delegation consisted of the Chair, Leon Benoit, MP, Vegreville-Wainwright; Vice-Chair Alan Tonks, MP York South-Weston; Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke; Mike Allen, MP, Tobique-Mactaquac; David Anderson, MP, Cypress Hills-Grasslands; Richard Harris, MP Cariboo-Prince George; Devinder Shory, MP Calgary Northeast; Paule Brunelle, MP Trois-Rivieres; Claude Guimond, MP Rimouski-Neigette-Temiscouata-Les Basques; Bruce Hyer, MP Thunder bay-Superior North; Geoff Regan, MP Halifax West; Navdeep Bains, MP Mississauga-Brampton South.
“The tour was an absolute success. Committee members approached me after the tour was finished to compliment Chalk River employees who are working on the repairs to the 52 year- old NRU research reactor. Everyone was impressed with the degree of complexity as well as the challenges that had to be overcome to allow the NRU to re-start,” said MP Gallant.
“Also included in the visit was an extensive tour of the single-purpose reactors funded by the old government, the MAPLES. It was clear that the MAPLES are not an option.”
“It is my hope that now that other MPs have had an opportunity to tour the Chalk River Laboratories, they will support my campaign for a new, multi-purpose research reactor to be built at Chalk River as the centerpiece of a new, National Laboratory. I am proud of the financial support our government has provided to Chalk River since 2006. Over 800 million dollars has gone to AECL, the best funding in over 30 years. As the local, government MP, I am committed to the over 2700 employees employed at the Chalk River Laboratories,” concluded Cheryl Gallant, MP.
