Minister Rickford Announces the Final Step in the Restructuring of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

OTTAWA, June 26, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced that the Government of Canada has selected the Canadian National Energy Alliance (CNEA) as the preferred bidder to manage and operate Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), a subsidiary of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL).

CNEA represents a group of experienced nuclear engineering and management firms, including: CH2M HILL Canada Limited, Fluor Government Group - Canada, Inc., EnergySolutions Canada Group LTD., SNC-Lavalin Inc., and Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear Canada Ltd.  CNEA was selected as the preferred bidder through a rigorous competitive procurement process that followed best practices in fairness and transparency.

The Government and CNEA will now finalize the contract for the management of CNL.  CNL will continue fulfilling AECL's core mandate to deliver:  on waste and decommissioning responsibilities, nuclear expertise to support federal responsibilities, and services to users of the Laboratories on commercial terms.

The restructuring of AECL is one of several measures the Government has taken to strengthen Canada's nuclear industry. Others include investing $325 million to revitalize research infrastructure at CNL, modernizing nuclear liability legislation and opening the doors to trade opportunities for nuclear energy in the fastest-growing energy markets in the world, including in China and India.

The Government of Canada places the highest priority on safety, security and environmental protection in all aspects of Canada's nuclear sector and has ensured that the independent regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, has the resources it needs to deliver on its critical mandate.

Quick Facts

• Canada's nuclear industry accounts for 30,000 high-quality jobs and helps make Canada's electricity supply among the cleanest in the world.
• Nuclear power generates close to 15 percent of Canada's electricity, including more than half the electricity supply in Ontario.
• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories employs about 3,300 people, most of them at Chalk River Laboratories in eastern Ontario.

Quotes

"Our government is demonstrating support for jobs and growth in nuclear energy by investing in science and technology, advancing trade opportunities and maintaining a world-class safety regime.  Today's announcement marks the conclusion of a six year process enhancing the efficiency and prosperity of the Canadian nuclear industry."

Greg Rickford
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

For further information:

Alexandra Lemieux, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 613-996-2007 or Media Relations, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, 613-992-4447; The general public may contact: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. EDT, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail]