August 25, 2014
Vancouver, B.C.
Natural Resources Canada
Parliamentary Secretary Kelly Block, on behalf of the Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, today delivered the keynote address at the Pacific Basin Nuclear Conference in Vancouver, B.C., where she emphasized the Government of Canada’s ongoing support of the Canadian nuclear industry.
In line with this year’s conference theme “Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Technology around the Pacific Basin in the 21st Century,” Ms. Block spoke about the potential of the nuclear sector to meet growing global demand for low-emissions electricity and actions the Government of Canada is taking to enable the industry to take advantage of these new opportunities.
Parliamentary Secretary Block discussed Canada’s nuclear agenda, which includes rigorous efforts to promote trade in nuclear products and services with countries such as China and India, and the restructuring of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) to bring private-sector rigour and efficiency to its management while leveraging AECL’s assets and capabilities. She also emphasized Canada’s ongoing efforts to ensure nuclear safety and security. Among these efforts, the proposed Energy Safety and Security Act, which is currently in Parliament, substantially increases the absolute liability of nuclear facility operators from $75 million to $1 billion for injury and damage.
Kelly Block
Parliamentary Secretary to the Honorable Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and
Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources and
Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
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