February 27, 2014 Ottawa
Canada’s Natural Resources Minister, the Honourable Joe Oliver, today delivered the opening address at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s Annual Conference and Tradeshow. He underscored the Government of Canada’s ongoing support of the Canadian nuclear industry.
In line with this year’s conference theme “Developing the Next Generation,” Minister Oliver lauded the industry’s accomplishments and spoke about the opportunities facing Canada’s nuclear sector. The Minister highlighted the recently signed Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with India, the Supplemental Protocol to the existing Nuclear Cooperation Agreement with China, and the proposed uranium trade liberalization measures in the Canada-EU Trade Agreement — the largest free trade deal in the history of our country.
The Minister also discussed government initiatives here at home. These include:
- Introducing the energy safety and security act in Parliament, which substantially increases the absolute liability of nuclear facility operators from $75 million to $1 billion for injury and damage;
- Committing $222 million in Economic Action Plan 2014 over five years to support research at the TRIUMF facility, which has had promising results in producing the medical isotope Technetium-99m;
- Providing $117 million over two years to AECL’s Chalk River laboratories to ensure safe and reliable operations and a secure supply of medical isotopes; and,
- The ongoing restructuring of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, including successfully selling the assets of AECL’s CANDU reactor division while moving toward a government-owned, contractor-operated model for AECL’s nuclear labs.
“Canada's nuclear industry creates jobs and economic growth and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, all in the context of a world-class safety regime.”
Joe Oliver
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources
