Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) today announced that it will complete the contracting process for the management and operation of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), as part of the Government-owned, Contractor-operated model.
As announced in June 2025, following a competitive procurement process, Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada Inc. (NLPC) was selected as the Preferred Bidder for the contract to manage CNL. NLPC is 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 key subcontractor.
After completion of all required regulatory reviews, NLPC will officially take on responsibility for the ownership and management of CNL on December 11th.
The transition to the new contractor was originally scheduled for mid-September, however the review by the Competition Bureau, an independent regulator that reviews all major mergers and acquisitions in Canada, extended past that planned date, necessitating a delay. The Competition Bureau issued a No-Action Letter, which confirms that the Bureau does not intend to challenge the proposed transaction at this time. With this step concluded, AECL is now moving forward with contract closing.
AECL is very excited to have the new leadership team in place, and it looks forward to advancing its priorities alongside the new leadership team that NLPC is bringing to CNL. This change in management will not affect ongoing work, projects and priorities of CNL, as CNL’s missions and mandate are not changing, and it continues to be responsible for operating AECL’s sites and assets.
AECL’s Government-owned, Contractor-operated model is such that the vast majority of spending is being done in Canada through the funding provided to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to manage and operate AECL’s sites in Canada – 95% of the spending is done in Canada. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ operations include more than 4,000 employees in Canada at AECL’s Chalk River Laboratories (Ontario), Port Hope Area Initiative (Ontario) and Whiteshell Laboratories (Manitoba), along with other satellite sites.
About Atomic Energy of Canada Limited
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.