Jul 28, 2026
Ottawa, Ontario — July 28, 2026 —
Following consultation with the Chair of the Board of Directors, AECL President and Chief Executive Officer Fred Dermarkar has informed the Board that he will not seek renewal of his mandate when it concludes on February 7, 2027, believing this is the right time for a leadership transition as AECL enters an important new phase of opportunity. Mr. Dermarkar will continue to serve as President and CEO until the expiry of his current mandate, providing continuity of leadership while AECL advances key strategic priorities and supports a smooth transition to new leadership.
The announcement comes at a time of growing momentum for Canada’s nuclear sector and following the release of the Government of Canada’s Nuclear Energy Strategy, which recognizes the critical role that nuclear energy, science, technology, and innovation will play in advancing the country’s energy security, economic prosperity, and environmental objectives.
Over the course of Mr. Dermarkar’s tenure, AECL and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) have worked together to strengthen Canada’s nuclear enterprise and position AECL as a strategic contributor to the future of the sector. Progress has included strengthening the GoCo model and its governance framework, advancing CNL’s role as Canada’s premier national nuclear laboratory, improving operational excellence and organizational effectiveness, and deepening partnerships across industry, academia and governments.
Significant progress has also been made in advancing Indigenous relations and reconciliation, including the development of long-term partnerships founded on respect, collaboration, and shared opportunity. These accomplishments reflect the contributions of dedicated employees, strong leadership teams, engaged Boards of Directors, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders across Canada’s nuclear community.
James Burpee, Chair of the AECL Board of Directors, thanked Mr. Dermarkar for his leadership and service.
“Fred has provided exceptional leadership during a period of important transformation and renewal for AECL. Under his leadership, AECL strengthened its strategic relevance within Canada’s nuclear sector, enhanced its oversight of the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, and worked with CNL to advance Canada’s nuclear science and technology capabilities in support of national priorities. The Board is grateful for his service and remains confident in the strength of the organization, its leadership team, and its future direction.”
Mr. Dermarkar expressed gratitude to the many individuals and organizations that have contributed to AECL’s success during his tenure.
“Serving as President and CEO of AECL has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. I am deeply grateful to the employees of AECL and CNL, to the AECL Board of Directors, to Indigenous Nations and communities, and to our many partners across government, industry, academia, and the broader nuclear sector. Everything we have accomplished has been the result of a collective effort. I leave this role with great confidence in the strength of the AECL and CNL teams and with tremendous optimism about Canada’s nuclear future. Our country is better positioned than it has been in decades to realize the benefits of nuclear energy, science, and technology, and I believe AECL and CNL are exceptionally well positioned to help make that future a reality.”
AECL remains focused on delivering its mandate on behalf of the Government of Canada and advancing priorities that support nuclear science and technology, environmental stewardship, innovation, and economic growth. The organization will continue to work closely with CNL, Indigenous Nations and communities, industry, academia, utilities, and governments to help ensure Canada remains a global leader in the nuclear sector.
Jun 22, 2026
Newmarket, ON – June 22, 2026
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) welcomes today’s release of the Government of Canada’s Nuclear Energy Strategy, which sets a clear and ambitious direction for the future of nuclear energy in Canada.
Canada is entering a period of accelerated change. Electricity demand is rising quickly as the economy electrifies; meeting that demand will require a significant build-out of reliable, non-emitting power. At the same time, Canada is focused on strengthening energy security, advancing innovation and driving economic growth in an increasingly competitive global environment.
The Nuclear Energy Strategy responds directly to these priorities, positioning nuclear as a core, scalable source of base-load power, aligned with the Government of Canada’s broader National Electricity Strategy released earlier this year.
The Nuclear Energy Strategy outlines four key priorities:
- Enabling New Builds Across Canada;
- Being a Global Supplier and Exporter of Choice;
- Expanding Uranium Production and Nuclear Fuel Opportunities and Supporting World-Class Long-Term Nuclear Waste Management; and,
- Developing New Canadian Nuclear Innovations (including fission and fusion).
“This is a pivotal moment for Canada. Nuclear energy will play a critical role in meeting growing energy demand while advancing economic growth, energy security, and climate objectives. The Nuclear Energy Strategy provides an important national framework to help turn that opportunity into action” said Fred Dermarkar, AECL President and CEO. “As Canada’s nuclear Crown corporation, AECL is proud to support the Government of Canada’s vision by advancing innovation, providing stewardship of strategic nuclear assets, and working with partners across the country to help ensure Canada remains a global leader in nuclear science, technology, and energy.”
AECL is well positioned to support the implementation of the Nuclear Energy Strategy:
- We drive innovation in all things nuclear, from energy to nuclear medicine, to waste management.
- We oversee Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, the Chalk River Laboratories.
- We are the stewards of the CANDU® intellectual property.
- We work with partners across the industry, academia, communities and Indigenous Nations.
AECL and its contractor Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, is excited to play a leading role in advancing Canada’s nuclear future.
For more information:
Read the Government of Canada announcement here.
Jun 18, 2026
Port Hope, Ontario — Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and the Municipality of Port Hope have reached a long-term agreement that extends Canada’s responsibility to safely manage eligible historic low-level radioactive waste in Port Hope for up to 100 years after the Port Hope Long-Term Waste Management Facility closes. The facility is managed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL).
This significantly extends the current 20-year post-closure period, providing long-term certainty for residents, property owners, and the Municipality. Once the PHAI project is complete, a designated access point will remain open at the Port Hope LTWMF with disposal capacity to ensure the facility can safely accept any low-level radioactive waste encountered during future renovations, repairs, or infrastructure projects.
As the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) has progressed—particularly on private properties—it has become clear that it is not always practical or beneficial to remove all of the eligible waste from every location. Now, property owners have more choice and flexibility. If they choose to leave eligible low-level radioactive waste undisturbed beneath existing features such as mature trees or landscaping, they can address the radiological material later, if needed.
For the first 20 years following completion of the Long-Term Waste Management Facility:
- Canada will continue to cover both the transportation and long-term management of eligible low-level radioactive waste. Property owners will still be responsible for excavation and restoration costs.
The facility will continue to accept the same eligible materials currently managed through the PHAI, including both radiological contaminants and certain associated non-radiological contaminants addressed under the project. Beyond the first 20 years and up to 100 years after the closure:
- Canada will continue to provide long-term storage at the facility, while property owners will still be responsible for excavation and restoration, and transportation costs, if waste is encountered during future work.
- The facility will only accept material contaminated with radium, thorium, or uranium (radiologically contaminated material), while other material (e.g., soils contaminated with non-radiological material such as arsenic) will need to be managed through provincial systems.
This agreement gives homeowners greater confidence and flexibility in making decisions about their properties. It provides a clear, regulated pathway for managing historic waste well into the future, removing concerns about what would happen once the project is complete. Homeowners who choose not to participate today can be assured that there will still be a safe option available in the future if conditions change.
The PHAI is the fully funded, federal program for addressing historic waste in Port Hope. Participation is voluntary, and homeowners who participate continue to receive comprehensive remediation and restoration at no cost, with waste safely transported and managed by Canada through Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and its contractor Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.
This agreement provides added certainty, choice, and long-term protection for the community, while supporting a vibrant and growing Port Hope.
