Federal Health Minister Joins MP Cheryl Gallant in Congratulating AECL Employees

December 19, 2007

Cheryl Gallant, MP with Health Minister Tony Clement at AECL in Chalk River

Chalk River, Ontario…. MP Cheryl Gallant joined Health Minister Tony Clement to thank the men and women who work at AECL in getting the major source of the world’s medical isotopes back in production. Minister Clement joined MP Gallant at Chalk River Laboratories to observe the resumed production of medical isotopes.

“The Minister of Health wanted to come to Chalk River to personally thank the employees of Atomic Energy of Canada (AECL) for all their efforts to get the NRU safely back on line, up and running, producing medical isotopes,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP.

“The women and men who work at AECL, the operators, the fuel processors, the trades and technicians, the cooks and security personnel, are all to be commended for the extraordinary efforts made in getting the medical radio isotopes back into production. Our nation salutes you!”

Immediately upon being informed of the extent of the shortage, Health Canada convened an ad hoc committee of experts - with representation from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the Canadian Society of Nuclear Medicine (CSNM), oncologists, and cardiologists - to collaboratively
explore a variety of options to assist in ensuring the supply of isotopes to patients who need them. The committee worked urgently to assess the extent, severity and the implications of the shortage and has provided ongoing medical advice on alternate diagnostic products, procedures and
supplies.

Health Canada also contacted almost 800 acute-care hospitals and clinics across the country to gather information about the shortage.

“While the Health Minister was in Chalk River, he was able to witness first-hand the production of medical isotopes used to treat prostate cancer,” remarked MP Gallant. “Our government is now working to ensure that this type of shortage situation never occurs again. While isotope production ramps up, Health Canada and the ad hoc committee of medical specialists will continue to work to identify ongoing contingency plans to ensure that patients don't necessarily face the delays and anxiety caused by these types of events. Our Government has asked for a full accountability report concerning the National Research Universal Reactor prolonged shutdown. In this entire affair, the real heroes are our friends and neighbours who work at AECL. For them, the safe operation of the NRU site has always been job one!” concluded Cheryl Gallant, MP.

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For More Information Please Call Cheryl Gallant, M.P. at (613) 732-4404