Ms. Linda J. Keen on An Act to permit the resumption and continuation of the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk River

In the House of Commons on December 11th, 2007. See this statement in context.

An Act to permit the resumption and continuation of the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk RiverGovernment Orders

December 11th, 2007 / 10:10 p.m.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Linda J. Keen

Mr. Chair, I would like to clarify a misconception that has been repeated several times today. The CNSC did not shut down AECL. AECL was in a planned shutdown, as Mr. McGee said, and voluntarily decided to continue the shutdown in order to put the pumps into place. CNSC did not shut down this reactor. AECL chose to keep this reactor down.

In terms of notifying, we notify everyone in the same way. We issue a decision with reasons for decision, like the other 20-some administrative tribunals in the federal system, and everyone is notified at once. This permits the minister to be at arm's length from the decision making of the commission tribunal.

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