December 8, 2010
Keep AECL in public
hands: poll
by Terry Myers
Most Canadians would like to see Atomic Energy of Canada stay in public
hands, instead of being sold to the private sector.
Those were the findings of poll results done back in 2009 for Natural
Resources Canada, the federal ministry responsible for AECL.
Ipsos-Reid surveyed 2,000 Canadians from across the country and held a
series of 10 focus groups in five major cities.
The results are considered accurate within 2.2 per cent, 19 times out
of 20, and an electronic copy of the report is posted on the Library
and Archives Canada website.
Among the key findings:
- nearly three in four Canadians (72 per cent) agree that, since AECL
has been a Crown corporation for over 50 years, it should not now
become a private corporation
- seven in 10 Canadians (70 per cent) say AECL would benefit Canada
more as a Crown corporation than as a private corporation
- seven in 10 Canadians (70 per cent) say they would worry about the
safety of Canada's nuclear technology if AECL became fully privatized,
and
- a minority believe that a private AECL would result in more jobs for
Canadians (36 per cent), would help Canada's economy (34 per cent), or
would be better able to sell nuclear technology around the world (33
per cent).
The report notes that findings from the focus group discussions were
“largely consistent” with the raw poll results.
“Most participants expressed discomfort with the notion of AECL
becoming private,” the report says.
Concerns revolved around “safety and national security, with many
doubting that a private corporation could adequately ensure either when
it comes to Canada's nuclear technology.”
“For these participants, a private AECL... would entail an unacceptable
loss of control over our nuclear technology.”
Focus group participants did identify some areas where they felt the
private sector could play a role, but overall they felt any private
sector role should be limited, “and that the government should retain
control over the fundamental business decisions.”
“Economic nationalism was also a significant theme among focus group
participants, particularly those worried that a private AECL would
invariably become an AECL owned and controlled abroad.”
The poll results showed the same concerns, the report says, with “wide
majorities” saying that nuclear technology used in Canada should be
retained by companies “owned and controlled by Canadians” (84 per
cent), and that new nuclear plants in Canada should be based on
“Canadian-developed technology” (73 per cent).
The poll was conducted March 2-13, 2009. The government announced at
the end of May that year that it was proceeding with the restructuring
of AECL, splitting the company between its Candu reactor and research
and development sides and seeking investors for the company's
commercial business.
An announcement on the successful bidder for AECL Candu is expected
soon.
Meanwhile, Liberal Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette introduced
her Bill S-225, “An Act respecting the reorganization and privatization
of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited,” for second reading last week.
Bill S-225 would limit the government's sale of AECL to 30 per cent of
the Crown corporation, while the federal government would be required
to retain 70 per cent control.
Hervieux-Payette said her bill “creates a new role for the private
sector and AECL.
“With a 30 per cent stake, the private sector will be in charge of
managing the corporation while the federal government, with its
majority share set at 70 per cent, will ensure that decisions are taken
in the best interests of Canadians and will ensure further investment
in research and development in the nuclear sciences.”
“AECL is an organization working for the good of Canadians and
humanity,” she said.
“Its discoveries are part of our heritage and our common intellectual
property. Millions of dollars have been injected into nuclear research
in Canada, which has resulted in discoveries heralded around the world.
“Some senators may cringe, but I will say to them that we must not
repeat the mistake we made with the Avro Arrow.
“We must defend this industry tooth and nail and take steps to ensure
that its renewal leads to prosperity rather than depriving the
corporation of a place on the world stage.”
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