Media Release
For release Thursday, November 19, 1998
Ottawa -- The federal government is in the midst of pre-budget consultations for the 1999-2000 fiscal year, and safe energy groups are making a strong case for cutting off subsidies to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL).
In a report released today, the Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout documents the historical subsidies to AECL, which now total $15.8 billion. Moreover, while the federal government promised to reduce nuclear subsidies to AECL, it actually increased by 25% in 1996-97. The report Federal Nuclear Subsidies: Time to Call a Halt, concludes that nuclear power is a sunset industry, and that Canada would be wise to cut its losses and end subsidies.
Report author David Martin stated, "Prime Minister Chrétien's personal obsession with nuclear power should not get in the way of sound financial decisions. More subsidies for AECL is just throwing good money after bad."
Kristen Ostling, Coordinator of Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout said, "After 46 years of subsidies, the nuclear industry still depends on hand-outs. It's time to call a halt."
Marc Chénier, spokesperson for the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility stated, "AECL's reactor exports have disregarded human rights and the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation. The risks and the costs are too high."
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For further information please contact:
CNP, 613-789-3634
Nuclear Awareness Project, 905-852-0571
Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, 514-527-2712
Sierra Club of Canada, 613-241-4611
The Executive Summary of Federal Nuclear Subsidies: Time to Call a Halt can be read here.
Copies of the full report (in English) are available on request.
Campaign for Nuclear Phaseout
cnp@web.net