Mar 14, 2023
Community invited to learn more about Canada’s national nuclear laboratories through public webinar discussing current projects and future plans
Chalk River, ON – March 14, 2023 – Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) are pleased to announce that they will be hosting a live public address later this month to provide the community with an update on the future of the Chalk River Laboratories. The webinar will be accessible through CNL’s website and streamed on its social media platforms. It will cover topics such as the revitalization of the Chalk River campus, new and exciting projects underway in clean energy, health sciences and nuclear security, and CNL’s major environmental remediation and cleanup projects.
Community Update
Wednesday, March 29
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. EST
www.cnl.ca/future
(English and French streams available. Opportunities to submit questions will follow the prepared remarks. Registration in advance is encouraged.)
Interested members of the public, Indigenous communities, elected officials and other residents and organizations are all encouraged to register for the webinar in advance at www.cnl.ca/future. The public webinar will provide an opportunity for the public to engage with AECL and CNL, and learn more about the many exciting nuclear science and technology projects that are underway at the site.
“The Chalk River Laboratories are closely embedded in the local community, and our collective futures are connected,” said Fred Dermarkar, President and CEO of AECL. “We have an important role to play in the fight against climate change, with nuclear science and technology being part of the solution not only for the environment, but also to improve the health and safety of Canadians. I look forward to updating the community and hearing their thoughts on how we’re doing.”
“Last year, CNL was very impressed by the turnout and feedback we received from our first community update, and the genuine interest that was shown in the future of the Chalk River Laboratories,” commented Joe McBrearty, CNL’s President and CEO. “More importantly, the webinar provided us with insight into the many questions, concerns and interests of local residents. As a result, CNL and AECL have decided to make this an annual engagement, and we hope that our friends and neighbours will once again take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the bright future that we are pursuing at Canada’s national nuclear laboratories.”
While the webinar is being organized to help inform the public about the many projects and activities that are underway and on the horizon at the Chalk River Laboratories, the organizers also hope that it will provide them with a better understanding of the public attitudes towards AECL, CNL and their program of work. With that in mind, the event is being structured to be as interactive and engaging as possible, with a significant period of time allotted for participant questions and to encourage two-way conversations between the public and representatives from AECL and CNL.
For more information on CNL, including details on the webinar, please visit www.cnl.ca. For more information on AECL, please visit www.aecl.ca.
About AECL
AECL is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunities for Canada. AECL enables nuclear science and technology, owns the Chalk River Laboratories and other sites, and manages the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste responsibilities. It oversees and evaluates CNL’s work through contracts.
In business since 1952, AECL designed and developed the fleet of CANDU nuclear reactors that serve Canada and five other countries. It also delivered more than one billion isotopes worldwide to detect and treat cancer. Today it delivers value for Canadians through supporting 14 federal departments and agencies, as well as the global nuclear industry.
About CNL
As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory, and working under the direction of AECL, CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.
By leveraging the assets owned by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.
AECL Contact:
Maude-Émilie Pagé
Director, Communications and Government Reporting
343-303-5345
CNL Contact:
Patrick Quinn
Director, Corporate Communications
1-866-886-2325
Feb 28, 2023
Today, Tuesday, February 28, 2023, leaders from the United States Department of Energy (DOE), the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ANDRA) issued a joint statement to affirm their commitment to continue their collaboration on the successful decommissioning and remediation of legacy nuclear sites and the safe management of their radioactive waste to ensure the protection of present and future generations and the environment in their respective countries.
The need for safe, sustainable, and economically viable site cleanup is common to many countries. International partnerships and the mutual exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and innovative technologies and approaches are critical to decisions to be taken and our collective successes.
The Parties are proud of their collaborative efforts over the past three decades and look forward to a continued positive and productive working relationship in the future.
DOE, NDA and AECL would like to express their appreciation to France for the positive contributions they have made to the US, UK and Canadian cleanup efforts and, in particular information sharing on:
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- Deactivation and decontamination of legacy nuclear sites, decommissioning and dismantling of their facilities
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- Nuclear sites remediation, including groundwater and soil;
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- Long term waste management solutions, including waste characterization, treatment, immobilization, storage and final disposal;
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- Information, education and training of students and young professionals to enhance their innovative capacities and develop their creativity.
Further, DOE, NDA, AECL, CEA and Andra commemorate the importance of international forums like the Waste Management Conference in promoting science, innovation research and international collaboration.
Through continued work and partnerships, all sides have enhanced collaboration and collective approaches to waste management, which has benefited not only their cleanup programs, but their communities and the environment with strong consideration to future generations.
Feb 21, 2023
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), a Canadian federal Crown corporation responsible to drive nuclear innovation for Canada, will be launching a competitive procurement process to renew the contract to manage Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories has been managed since September of 2015 by Canadian National Energy Alliance, a consortium made up of three partner companies – SNC-Lavalin, Jacobs Engineering and Fluor Federal Services – under a contract that will expire in September of 2025.
A competitive process to continue the management of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories beyond that date will be launched this spring with the issuance of a Request for Pre-Qualification.
“AECL anticipates strong interest from industry resulting in a robust competition that will bring best value to Canada,” said Fred Dermarkar, AECL President and CEO. “AECL will be looking for a contractor with extensive experience in advancing nuclear science & technology, research and innovation, the management of nuclear laboratories, decommissioning and radioactive waste management, the delivery of large capital projects, and who can engage with stakeholders and Indigenous communities in the spirit of healing, reconciliation and collaboration”.
It is expected that the scope of work under this procurement will include the management of all of AECL’s sites and assets, including the Chalk River Laboratories and other satellite sites and associated responsibilities. Of particular importance will be to further advance AECL’s nuclear science & technology, research and innovation agenda in order to position the Chalk River Laboratories to leverage their capabilities to address the priorities of Canada, including climate change.
This procurement process will not affect ongoing work, projects and priorities of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories itself is not changing and continues to be responsible for operating AECL’s sites and assets.
In the coming months, AECL will issue a Request for Pre-Qualification and engage with local communities and Indigenous communities and Nations on its plans in order to gather input and help inform contractual requirements.
Briefing and Site Tour
To inform potential bidders of the scope of the contract and procurement process, AECL is conducting a briefing session and site tour of the Chalk River Laboratories which will take place on March 23, 2023.
For more information on the tour, including how to register, please visit www.aecl.ca/about-aecl/goco-contract-renewal.
About AECL
AECL drives nuclear innovation to deliver clean energy technologies and improve the quality of life of Canadians while caring for the land.
As a federal Crown corporation, AECL’s mandate is to enable nuclear science and technology, derive optimal value for Canada from AECL’s CANDU intellectual property and to protect the environment by fulfilling the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities.
AECL delivers its mandate through a Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, whereby a private-sector organization, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, is responsible for managing and operating AECL’s sites.
Under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, AECL owns the sites, facilities, assets, intellectual property and responsibility for nuclear science and technology, environmental remediation and radioactive waste management. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the sites.
