e-6636 (Natural resources and energy)

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a federal Crown corporation and agent of the Government of Canada with the mandate to enable nuclear science and technology, derive optimal value for Canada from Atomic Energy Canada Limited Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU®) intellectual property, and to protect the environment by fulfilling the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities. Atomic Energy Canada Limited delivers its mandate through a Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, whereby a private-sector organization, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is responsible for operating Atomic of Energy Canada Limited sites. Under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited owns the sites, facilities, assets, intellectual property and responsibility for environmental remediation and radioactive waste management. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the sites.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories has been managed since September of 2015 by Canadian National Energy Alliance, a consortium made up of three partner companies, under a contract that expired in September of 2025. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited has now completed a competitive process to continue the management and operation of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.

The bidder chosen by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada Inc., a partnership with three primary joint venture partners, BWXT Government Group Inc., Amentum Environment & Energy Inc., and Kinectrics Inc., with Battelle Memorial Institute included as a key subcontractor.

The selection of the bidder followed a rigorous procurement process, launched in 2023, which included:

• A pre-qualification phase where interested bidders were evaluated against mandatory technical criteria, financial capability requirements, security requirements, and integrity criteria.
• A Request for Proposals issued to qualified bidders, with a rigorous and thorough evaluation against technical and financial criteria.
• An external Fairness Monitor, who concluded that the competitive selection process was carried out in a fair, open and transparent manner.

Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada brings experience in the Canadian nuclear and energy context. The joint venture partners are bringing in Canadian expertise through their management team and other resources. Atomic Energy of Canada’s Government-owned, Contractor-operated model is such that 95% of the spending is being done in Canada through the funding provided to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to operate Atomic Energy of Canada Limited sites.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s role is to advance nuclear research in energy, health, safety, security and the environment. Regarding Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories project to construct the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Center, it should be noted that the facility is designed to support Canada’s clean energy goals by providing services essential to the life extension and long-term reliability of existing reactors, including Canada’s fleet of Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU®) nuclear power reactors and other designs from around the world. The Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Center will consolidate key capabilities from aging facilities that are scheduled for decommissioning and will feature 12 new shielded cells that will enable post-irradiation examination of small modular reactors and next-generation nuclear fuels, and glovebox facilities to support the development of advanced fuel fabrication concepts.  

In 1965, the Canadian government decided that all exports of uranium and all other nuclear materials would be for peaceful purposes only. Canada was the first country with significant nuclear capability to reject nuclear weapons and has since been actively involved in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy around the world. This policy was reinforced when Canada signed and ratified in 1968 and 1969 respectively the United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which came into force in 1970. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories continue to work to uphold and advance Canada’s commitment to non-proliferation.

The proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility at Chalk River Laboratories is intended to safely dispose of low-level radioactive waste and improve environmental conditions at the site. The Near Surface Disposal Facility would provide a modern, purpose-built solution to safely manage and contain this waste. Since a judicial review is before the courts regarding this project, we await the outcome of this judicial process. 

The technical design of the Near Surface Disposal Facility has been reviewed and authorized by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which concluded that the project does not pose unreasonable risk. Similar near-surface disposal solutions are being used safely in several countries.

With respect to decommissioning and waste management, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is responsible for safely and responsibly addressing the environmental responsibilities and liabilities which have resulted from legacy activities at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited sites. These legacy liabilities are the result of decades of significant contributions and advancements in nuclear science which have benefitted Canadians and the world, including the development of the Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU®) technology and the production of medical isotopes which are used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other diseases. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is now focused on the decontamination and decommissioning of redundant structures and buildings, remediation, and the management and disposal of radioactive waste at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited sites, primarily at the Chalk River Laboratories and the Whiteshell Laboratories in Manitoba.

In response to the request for the Auditor General to assess Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s effectiveness in managing its activities, responsibilities, and resources, per the Financial Administration Act, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited periodically undergoes Special Examinations by the Office of the Auditor General.

In a special examination, the Office of the Auditor General concludes on whether the corporation’s systems and practices selected for examination provide reasonable assurance that:

• its assets are safeguarded and controlled;
• its financial, human, and physical resources are managed economically and efficiently; and
• its operations are carried out effectively.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s performance under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model was part of the Special Examination conducted in 2017. A subsequent Special Examination is slated for 2026-27. All reports of the Office of the Auditor General, including Special Examinations, are publicly available on the Office of the Auditor General’s website.