Canada-China Uranium Export Protocol Good For Canadian Jobs
TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - The agreement between Canada and China on uranium exports is good news for our nuclear industry said the Canadian Nuclear Workers Council (CNWC).
"Expanded uranium exports to China mean more jobs for Canadian miners and the communities that host and/or supply workers to the mines. It will also deliver environmental benefits, as China will be able to develop more, clean, reliable nuclear power plants," said Dave Shier, CNWC's President.
The new Protocol supplements a 1994 agreement between the two countries for co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and is in full accordance with Canada's long-standing nuclear non-proliferation policies and obligations.
Canada currently supplies about 18 percent of the world's uranium, which in turn generates around 5,000 jobs and about $500 million in wages and benefits. In 2010 uranium exports generated nearly $150 million in taxes and royalty revenues to the government of Saskatchewan alone. Uranium mining is also the leading employer of Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan.
This Protocol builds on other initiatives like those between Canada and China to use a range of fuels, like thorium in CANDU reactors.
"Our membership is supportive of activities like these that ensure Canada continues to play a leading role in the nuclear industry and the economic prosperity this can bring. The Canadian union movement will continue to see that the people in the industry work safely and share in the prosperity", concluded Shier.
The Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council is an organization of unions that represent workers in various areas of the Canadian nuclear industry, including electric utilities, uranium mining & processing, radioisotope production and nuclear research.
Dave Shier 416-725-5776
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