The federal government is selling off its commercial Candu reactor division, Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt announced on Thursday.
Raitt said the government has invited investors to submit proposals.
"Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's Candu reactor division needs strategic investors to take full advantage of this opportunity, strengthen its global presence and reduce the financial risks carried by taxpayers," Raitt said in a statement.
In the spring, the government announced its plan to break up AECL and possibly sell parts of the Crown corporation.
The bid for investors does not include the Chalk River Laboratories, where medical isotopes are produced.
The aging reactor at Chalk River, Ont., was shut down in May after it was found to be leaking radioactive water.
New Brunswick Energy Minister Jack Keir said he supports the plan and hopes it won't affect the province's push for compensation over delays in the ongoing refurbishment of the reactor at Point Lepreau.
AECL is conducting the $1.4-billion refurbishment of New Brunswick's Candu reactor, but the project is running 18 months behind schedule.
Ottawa has said it will compensate the province under the terms of the contract.
"What she's told me is that the contracts that are in place right now are going to be respected by AECL and the government of Canada, and I said to her I appreciate that, I thanked her for that, and that we're going to continue to have discussions on the replacement fuel issue."
Share Tools
Latest Ottawa News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- Organ donation advocate Hèlène Campbell of Ottawa made her second appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, but her first since undergoing a double-lung transplant. more »
- Canadian woman continues tweeting her way to the top of Everest
- Sandra Leduc is taking a second run at Mount Everest's summit after a deadly storm forced her back down the mountain and killed four others on Sunday. The Canadian lawyer and government worker is tweeting her progress along the way. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- Double-lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- Birds attack Ottawa joggers
- Woman pinned between forklifts in Ottawa warehouse
- Pants-pulling case draws 24 more charges
- Ottawa race weekend road closures
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Victim named in Queensway rollover crash
