Standing Committee on Natural Resources

Comité permanent des ressources naturelles

For immediate release

Ottawa, June 09, 2017 -

Today, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources tabled a report calling on the Government of Canada to reaffirm its long-standing support for Canadian nuclear energy and research.

Entitled The Nuclear Sector at a Crossroads: Fostering Innovation and Energy Security for Canada and the World, the report concludes a broader study on innovation, sustainable solutions and economic opportunities in Canada’s oil, gas, mining and nuclear sectors. The Committee’s findings are based on evidence from a wide range of experts from industry, government, academia and civil society.

“Canada has been a bold trailblazer in the field of nuclear technology research and development for over 70 years,” said Committee Chair, James Maloney. “From the development of the world renowned Candu reactor, to becoming an international leader in isotope technology and production, Canada has a proud history of providing the safest technology, and an unsurpassed expertise in the industry.”

The report’s seven recommendations call on the government to reaffirm its long-standing support for the nuclear sector, namely in terms of regulatory and safety practices; research and innovation; leadership in nuclear power generation; and the development and commercialization of next-generation nuclear technologies. The report also calls on industry and academia to establish a nuclear innovation council with representatives from the federal and provincial governments with the aim of leveraging non-power nuclear applications in other Canadian sectors, such as healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing.

“Based on our study, it is clear that the federal government, working with partners in industry and other levels of government, can and must ensure that the future of the Canadian nuclear sector remain supported,” the Chair continued. “The government should also make certain that researchers continue to have access to the tools needed to excel in their innovation activities.”

Chaired by James Maloney, M.P., the Committee comprises: Liberals T.J. Harvey, Denis Lemieux, Mary Ng, Marc Serré and Geng Tan; Conservatives John Barlow (Vice-Chair), Mark Strahl, and Shannon Stubbs; and New Democrat, Richard Cannings (Vice-Chair).

The report is available on the Committee’s website. Please direct all inquiries to the Clerk of the Committee by e-mail: rnnr@parl.gc.ca.