Health of Canadians Comes First, States MP Cheryl Gallant

January 16, 2008

Ottawa, Ontario - “The health of Canadians is a priority for the Conservative Government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper,” stated Cheryl Gallant, MP (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke). “We acted in a decisive, yet balanced manner when we sought and received all-party consent to restart medical isotope production.”

MP Cheryl Gallant made her observation during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. The Committee is looking into the circumstances surrounding the decision by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to shut down two thirds of the world’s supply of medical isotopes with apparently no consideration for the health of Canadians and international patients who rely on nuclear medicine.

As a member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources, MP Cheryl Gallant was looking forward to questioning the former President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) on her role in ignoring the health needs of Canadians.

“I am very disappointed that at the last moment, former President Linda Keen was a no-show, after agreeing to appear before the Standing Committee on Natural Resources,” said MP Gallant. The committee provides oversight for AECL and the CNSC.

“Dion and his party do not know the difference between the ‘board room’ and the ‘control room’ when it comes to safety at AECL. The truth is finally coming out that problems at Chalk River go back 15 years. The decision by the previous government to ignore the 2002 Auditor General’s report is part of that cover-up.”

“Voters in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke remember the false promises when they were told funding for the Canadian Neutron Facility (CNF) was approved. It is unfortunate that in all those years through the 1990’s, the men and women who were employed at AECL did not have a champion to represent them in Ottawa when the cutbacks were going on.”

“I was particularly pleased with the presentation from the Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn and his open and frank responses to all questions during over two hours of testimony at committee. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Conservative government did the right thing when we legislated the production of medical isotopes to resume. I thank the many, many callers to my office congratulating us for our leadership on this issue. Unlike the previous government, which failed when faced with a health crisis like SARS, we provided the leadership and got the job done!