2006 June 12 — AECL’s Community Speakers’ Program is now a year old, and it was a very busy and successful first year, with our speakers completing more than 28 speaking engagements across Ontario!

The Program, managed by Corporate Communications, was created to help increase public and stakeholder understanding and support for nuclear, and works by pairing knowledgeable employees with groups that are interested in learning more about the nuclear industry.

Opening the eyes of those who live and work around us can be a challenge. This is especially true when dealing with the many misconceptions about nuclear energy, but it is also an exciting opportunity that our speakers have embraced wholeheartedly.

Among the highlights this year were speaking engagements at:

• National Technology & Youth Leadership Conference 2005
• Peterborough Professional Engineers Ontario Engineering Symposium
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Toronto Section
• University of Toronto Industry Mixer
• Taddle Creek Club (former Ontario Hydro/Ontario Power Generation employees)
• ACRA Semi-Annual General Meeting (AECL Retirees)
• Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario (APEO) Outreach
• Elementary and High Schools throughout Ontario
• Probus, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs in Pembroke, Petawawa, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Burlington and Brantford

The Community Speakers’ Program is now gearing up for another busy year. The challenge ahead will be to continue to enhance AECL’s presence in our communities by increasing the number of speaking engagements being booked.

Nuclear has a very important role to play in ensuring a clean, reliable, safe and affordable energy supply for the future, and your Community Speakers are working hard to get the word out!

For more information about the Community Speakers’ Program, or to book a speaker for your community organization or child’s school please email us at speakers@aecl.ca or call us at (905) 823-9040, ext. 7439.

Sonja Galton
Communications Officer