Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

News

Jun 22, 2026

Government of Canada Launches Nuclear Energy Strategy

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

Canada and the Municipality of Port Hope Reach Long-Term Agreement for Historic Waste

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.

May 21, 2026

Government of Canada announces $2.2 billion capital commitment for Chalk River Laboratories renewal

Federal funding commitment enables ongoing site revitalization of Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, supporting Canada’s New Strategy for Nuclear Energy

Chalk River, ON – May 21, 2026 – Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is pleased to announce that it has received a $2.2 billion capital commitment from the Government of Canada to continue the revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories. The Government shared the announcement at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s 2026 Conference as an important enabler to the new ‘Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada,’ which will be released by the end of 2026, and which is focused on growing the Canadian nuclear industry to achieve energy affordability and security at home, while seizing the global opportunities.

The capital commitment, which will be made available to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) by AECL, allows CNL to continue to modernize the AECL-owned Chalk River Laboratories campus through the revitalization of essential site infrastructure and a significant investment in new, world-class science facilities. As the campus that delivers the scientific and technical research and innovation underpinning the domestic nuclear industry, the investment will support Canada’s continued nuclear energy leadership in areas that include power generation, fuel development, safety and security, decommissioning and waste management, and reactor life extension and reliability.

“Canada has been a global science leader from the very beginning of the nuclear age, led by ambitious scientists and federal government support,” commented The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Nuclear leadership, and building the next generation of clean, affordable nuclear energy production means making serious investments in Canada’s homegrown scientific capacity. Strategic investments like these will create jobs, advance energy security, and strengthen Canadian sovereignty.”

“This investment reflects the Government of Canada’s confidence in the strategic value of Chalk River Laboratories and the role AECL plays in enabling nuclear science and innovation for Canada,” added Fred Dermarkar, AECL’s President and CEO. “It will help ensure this nationally important site continues to support clean energy, innovation and long-term economic opportunities.”

“CNL is grateful to AECL and the Government of Canada for this funding, which will continue to transform the Chalk River Laboratories into a modern, sustainable and innovative national campus,” commented Dennis Carr, CNL’s President and CEO. “The nuclear industry is moving into a new era that will include the construction of new, large-scale conventional reactors, innovative SMR and advanced reactor designs, and even the deployment of fusion technologies. All these ambitious projects will require extensive R&D and the necessary innovation to ensure they are safe, reliable and viable. That is the role of Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, and I want to thank AECL and the Government of Canada for their confidence in CNL to fulfill this responsibility.”

Because AECL’s Chalk River Laboratories site is over 70 years old, much of the infrastructure both underground and above ground needs to be replaced or refurbished, including the renewal of approximately 60 buildings and facilities on the campus. The funding commitment will enable CNL to continue this process, which began in 2016, and has included the construction of several new, modern laboratories, support facilities, site infrastructure and office buildings. A key focus of future capital spending will be on sustainable investments into the campus, including energy efficient heating and cooling; and roof and exterior improvements to meet government of Canada’s net zero greenhouse gas emission goals some of which is already well underway.

Funding will also support the continued design & construction of the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC), a state-of-the-art research complex that will be one of the largest nuclear research facilities ever built in Canada. Once complete, the 12,700 square-metre facility will feature 23 laboratories and 12 shielded hot cells that will enable post-irradiation examination of small modular reactor (SMR) and next-generation nuclear fuels in addition to glovebox facilities to support the development of advanced fuel fabrication concepts.

To learn more about CNL, including the ongoing revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories campus, please visit www.cnl.ca.

About AECL

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a federal Crown corporation with a mandate to drive nuclear opportunities for Canada. Working through a Government-owned, Contractor-operated (GoCo) model that is executed by its contractor, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, AECL enables nuclear science and technology through its Chalk River Laboratories, Canada’s largest research complex, and by engaging with academia and private industry to advance nuclear innovation. It is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It also manages the Government of Canada’s radioactive waste responsibilities. AECL continues to own the intellectual property for the CANDU® reactor technology and is accountable for deriving optimal benefit from this technology for Canada. Read more on AECL at www.aecl.ca.

About CNL 

As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. CNL fulfils three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector, and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

CNL Contact:

Philip Kompass
Director, Corporate Communications
1-866-886-2325
[email protected]

AECL Contact:

Jeremy Latta
Director of Communications and Government Reporting
[email protected]