AECL is a key player in Canada’s science and technology landscape. Our objective is to provide nuclear science and technology in order to sustain and develop Canada’s capabilities in a cost-effective manner.
AECL is responsible for coordinating the Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan and works with CNL to enable it to leverage the expertise and capabilities at the Chalk River Laboratories to provide technical services and research and development products for third parties on a commercial basis.
The Chalk River Laboratories are Canada’s largest science and technology complex. More than 2,800 people work there, including a large number of engineers, scientists and technical staff. The site is managed and operated by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories on behalf of AECL. Important investments are being made by AECL to revitalize the Chalk River Laboratories and transform it in to a modern, world-class nuclear science and technology campus.
AECL oversees the delivery of the Federal Nuclear Science and Technology Work Plan in order to support the Government’s priorities and core responsibilities in areas such as nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, energy, health, environmental protection, and emergency response.
Beyond the research work that supports the Government of Canada, several activities are underway at the Chalk River Laboratories that hold great promise – for example small modular reactors and the next generation of medical isotopes.