(2006 September 14) AECL can count on the government’s continued support, says the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources Canada.

“I genuinely believe that the nuclear renaissance is coming back and that there is an enormous future for AECL, not just here in Canada but internationally and you are going to get great support from this government,” Minister Lunn told more than 100 AECL employees during an informal meet and greet reception yesterday following a brief tour of the Sheridan Park site.

“We are looking for forms of clean energy as we move forward and we believe that nuclear is going to be a significant part of the supply of our energy needs into the future.”

Minister Lunn praised AECL employees saying that he was very impressed with what he had seen during his visit.

Minister Lunn was visiting AECL’s Sheridan Park offices to get to know AECL’s commercial operations and to become better acquainted with some of the specialized work that the company does. He initially met with members of the executive team to discuss AECL’s CANDU marketing opportunities and major refurbishment projects before embarking on a tour of the SP3 laboratories.

Accompanying the minister was Robert Van Adel, President and CEO, Michael Ingram, Vice-President of CANDU Services and Jean-Pierre Soublière, Acting Chairman of AECL’s Board of Directors.

During his tour, the minister visited the Simulation Lab and saw a demonstration of the 3D laser scanner camera which uses CADD software to model, conceptualize and design equipment for reactors; walked about the Machine and Fabrication shop where reactor components are made; and was shown a tack and a low profile weld tool used in the retube feeder replacement program. The tour culminated in the informal reception with staff.

Minister Lunn’s visit to Sheridan Park marks the second time in three months that he has taken time to visit one of our sites - the first being our Chalk River Laboratories in June.