March 2, 2011
Uncertainty pushing
AECL to the "brink"
by Terry Myers
Uncertainty around the
future of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd is “dragging Canada's successful
reactor technology” to the “brink of oblivion.”
Strong words from the head of the association that represents workers
in the nuclear industry.
David Shier is president of the Canadian Nuclear Workers Council
(CNWC), which includes bargaining units at the Chalk River labs.
In the February issue of the CNWC newsletter, Shier says governments in
countries like France, Japan, the United States, Korea, India and China
see the “economic and environmental benefits of making and selling
their nuclear reactors.”
“Their government leaders are visibly helping to market their
respective technologies and appear willing to 'package' deals.”
In Canada, however, “our elected federal representatives don't seem to
be listening,” Shier says.
Ontario's commitment to nuclear power in its recent long-term energy
plan “suggests the province gets it - clean, reliable, affordable
baseload electricity; improved energy security; tens of thousands of
high-value jobs; research and development; billions in GDP growth; and
substantial innovation opportunities.”
“It's surprising that Ontario's federal representatives don't appear to
get it,” Shier says.
“Especially, since Ontario is the major beneficiary of Canada's $6
billion plus a year nuclear industry.”
Securing the benefits of home-grown nuclear power for future
generations means the federal government “must make a long-term
commitment to Canada's Candu reactor technology.”
“Our industry also needs to work with them to create a long-term
strategy that markets, innovates and sustains our technology,” Shier
says.
“It is about Team Candu Canada, not Team Candu.”
Shier says former prime minister John Diefenbaker is still remembered
for his government's decision to kill the Arrow jet fighter.
“Killing Canada's successful reactor technology is not a legacy any
prime minister should aspire to.”
Talks continue
Meanwhile, reports circulated last week that there may still be a
bidder in the hunt to buy AECL's commercial Candu wing.
Reports in January suggested that SNC Lavalin had dropped out of the
running for the AECL business at the same time that Bruce Power
withdrew from the process.
However, stories last week said SNC is not only still in the running,
it has entered the exclusive negotiations stage of talks with the
government, the next step towards a deal.
The reports also suggested that SNC Lavalin has entered talks with the
Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) to become a
partner in the deal.
OMERS is already involved in the nuclear industry as an investor in
Bruce Power.
OMERS chief executive officer Michael Nobrega said in an interview that
there are opportunites for the pension fund to invest in energy and
transportation.
"I think the big areas are energy and transportation and all of the
industries that surround those areas," he said.
"I would say that the next area that may very well emerge, given
government deficits and the need to restructure things, might very well
be in the energy sector in Ontario."
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