Canada's Nuclear Industry: A Strategy for Growth

OTTAWA, June 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Ms. Denise Carpenter, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), today unveiled a vision for Canada's nuclear industry to seize the opportunities being presented by a global nuclear renaissance.

During a presentation to members of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, The Environment and Natural Resources, Ms. Carpenter described key elements of a growth strategy that will ensure Canada remains a global leader in nuclear technology, creates highly-skilled jobs in Canada, increases economic benefits for Canadians, and generates clean energy to help address the domestic and international challenges of climate change. The President also reiterated the need for vocal Government support to achieve these goals.

"Canadians can be proud of our industry's many achievements in CANDU technology, power generation, nuclear medicine, uranium mining and research and development (R&D)", said Ms. Carpenter. "The time is now to ensure that we have a strong R&D infrastructure domestically to grow and showcase our nuclear expertise and compete globally."

Nuclear energy in Canada generates about 15% of Canada's electricity and over half of Ontario's without polluting the air. Canada's nuclear industry provides 71,000 highly skilled and high paying jobs for Canadians in uranium mining and processing, manufacturing, electricity generation, nuclear medicine for diagnosis and treatment, aerospace and automotive research, engineering, consulting and education. Canada's nuclear industry also supports 40,000 jobs in companies that provide supplies or services to the nuclear industry.

"In Ontario over the next 10-15 years, about 15,000 MW of nuclear generation will need to be refurbished and/or rebuilt. This is a tremendous opportunity to grow our leadership role in nuclear, invest in education and grow our export markets" said Carpenter.

"Today, globally there are 438 operating reactors, 54 under construction and over 450 planned or proposed. Our industry wants to be a global player and create economic wealth and thousands of high paying jobs for Canadians", said Carpenter. "We need Government to be our cheerleader and help us get there."

The Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) is a non-profit organization established in 1960 to represent the nuclear industry in Canada and promote the development and growth of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes.

To view the presentation please visit www.cna.ca

For further information: Claudia Lemieux, Director of Communications and Media Relations, Canadian Nuclear Association, [phone] Ext. 104, [email protected] and/or Kathleen Olson, Communications Manager, [phone] Ext. 106, [email protected]