Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) – PSAC Local 00358
July 6, 2011
Sale of AECL leads to more job cuts
The Harper Government recently announced the sale of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. to the Montreal-based engineering giant, SNC-Lavalin.
Under the deal, AECL's three main businesses – its lucrative repair business, reactor services and new builds – will be taken over by a new SNC-Lavalin subsidiary called CANDU Energy. At least 800 to 900 high-paying jobs will be lost in layoffs through the sale.
PSAC represents 75 design technologists/specialists at AECL, up to 50% of whom are being laid off. The sale of AECL has put good jobs at risk.
Harper’s Conservatives have basically given away AECL – the price tag was a mere $15 million. Since then, the Harper government also agreed to provide SNC-Lavalin up to $75 million to complete development of a new reactor called Enhanced Candu 6. It seems the Conservatives have handed over the keys to Canada’s high tech industry.
AECL was one of Canada’s largest Crown corporations and most technologically sophisticated. The sale of AECL to SNC-Lavalin comes at a time when billions of dollars in revenue are expected to be generated through the refurbishment of aging Candu reactors around the world.
This loss of revenue during a time of high government debt, coupled with the loss of high paying jobs in Ontario begs the question of what Stephen Harper and his conservatives believe are fiscally sound policies.
Click here for Toronto Star article
Mar. 29, 2011
Communication Alert!
This webpage will be used to update PSAC’s Local 00358 members on the potential sale of AECL to SNCLavalin Group Inc., a private corporation.
PSAC will continue to fight to protect public services, including the potential sale of the AECL and protect the employment of AECL employees.
The Canadian government must be accountable to the public and investigate the risks of privatizing nuclear reactors.
Click here for the PSAC Communication Alert (PDF)