MP Cheryl Gallant Receives AECL Job Assurances

June 04, 2009

OTTAWA, ONTARIO… MP Cheryl Gallant, (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke), took the opportunity as a Member of the Standing Committee on Natural Resources, to seek assurances from the Minister of Natural Resources, the Hon Lisa Raitt,  regarding future job opportunities at the Chalk River Laboratories of AECL.

Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Conservative): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Through you to the Minister, how is the announcement you made last week about the restructuring of AECL going to impact jobs at Chalk River labs?

Hon. Lisa Raitt (Minister of Natural Resources): Thank you very much for the question. I know that, being from the area, you've always brought to my attention the importance of Chalk River and the importance of the workers at the Chalk River facility. It's a driving force, really, in our decision-making regarding restructuring.

Essentially, in restructuring we would see both sides of AECL to be better bolstered by being able to focus on their individual areas. So in one case it would be AECL commercial, or the reactor side, focusing on theirs, and on the other side, Chalk River, focusing on the research, the technology, and the science side of it. It is truly desired that when we undertake restructuring that both sides are being positioned to flourish, not only AECL in terms of selling more reactors, but also Chalk River in terms of taking advantage of that entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that is there, and truly dedicating themselves to research of different types, not just associated with AECL, not just associated with the ACR-1000, but all kinds of other things. It's no secret to the committee and you've heard from other witnesses too, of the interest in utilizing nuclear technology in the oil sands for a better, efficient means of extracting oil from the oil sands. That could be an area in which Chalk River could play a role in terms of research.

We fundamentally believe that by separating the two, both equally will be allowed to flourish. I believe as well that on the merits on the research done at Chalk River, that will drive an attraction to invest in Chalk River and allow the research to speak for itself and attract attention and attract innovation and attract investment. So I think it would be positive for the jobs, not only helping with what we currently have, but in fact growing that area so we have the potential for more jobs in the area.

“While I appreciate that there are many rumours and much speculation about employment at AECL, I hope this statement by the Minister responsible for AECL allays some of those concerns. I want to continue to assure all AECL employees that I am working very closely, as a member of the government, to defend their interests,” concluded Cheryl Gallant, MP.