Canada's minister of natural resources got an earful Friday from members of the country's nuclear industry who say they want the federal government to make a firm decision on the future of Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.

While Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt received polite applause when she attended a panel discussion at the annual meeting of the Organization of Candu Industries in Oakville, Ont., those in the industry said indecision is hurting everyone in the sector.

Last spring, the government announced its plan to break up AECL and possibly sell parts of the Crown corporation, but thus far no details have been announced.

Raitt said the government is committed to Canada's nuclear industry, but she said AECL needs a revamp to ensure it is viable and not a drain on taxpayers.

"We recognize that we have an industry that has worked very long and very hard to earn a worldwide reputation for excellence," Raitt said.

Chris Hughes, president of Laker Energy Products, an Ontario company that makes parts for Candu reactors, said he already knows of cases in places like China where clients wanted to buy from Canada but did not due to the uncertainty around AECL.

"They didn't understand why the government's not backing AECL, and they want to deal with a company that's going to be there in 30, 40, 50 years," Hughes said.

The state of limbo is also affecting AECL scientists and engineers, such as Michael Ivanco.

"We need clarity and we need it soon because the lack of decision is already killing a lot of companies out there," Ivanco said.

He added that the possibility of a brain drain is very real. With work on some AECL projects set to wind down in the months ahead, many scientists are getting job offers outside Canada.

"People will go. It's not hard to get work in this industry. It's in fact hard to retire in this industry," Ivanco said.

Despite being pressed, Raitt held out little hope that any decision on AECL's future will come soon. Her officials are working on a plan, she said, but it is still a long way from complete, and it could be months before it gets the federal cabinet's blessing.