Canada to Join U.S. Nuclear Energy Plan

After months of reluctance, Canada has decided to join a U.S. initiative to promote nuclear power in the 21st century, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier announced yesterday (see GSN, Sept. 17).

The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership gained momentum two months ago when more than a dozen nations signed onto the effort begun by the United States early last year.  U.S. officials have argued that the global expansion of nuclear power would help combat climate change while meeting growing demands for electricity.

Canada and other nuclear exporting nations, however, were noticeably absent from the list of new partners announced in September (see GSN, Sept. 19).

Critics of the plan have complained that the program promotes the recycling of nuclear fuel, a practice that has historically meant the production of plutonium, a key nuclear-weapon material.

U.S. officials, however, have countered that the partnership would seek to develop resistant technologies that would allow the efficient use of nuclear fuels without creating proliferation concerns (Bruce Cheadle, Canadian Press/Toronto Star, Nov. 29).

U.S. arguments have apparently prevailed with Canadian leaders.

“As the world's largest producer of uranium and a country taking steps to tackle climate change through the development of clean energy technology, Canada's responsibility is to help shape the safe and secure development of nuclear energy worldwide,” said Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn in a release yesterday.

“Canada is recognized for its commitment to (nuclear) safety and nonproliferation,” added Foreign Minister Bernier.  “By joining this partnership, we are making sure Canada can continue to be an effective advocate for those ideals” (Canadian Natural Resources Department release, Nov. 29).

Canadian officials had also been concerned that the GNEP plan could compel the nation to reclaim and store any spent fuel generated by its exports, but that issue has been resolved, the Canadian Press reported.

“There is nothing in the GNEP statement of principles that compels Canada or any other country to take back spent fuel,” said Louise Girouard, a Natural Resources Department spokeswoman.  “Canada does not import spent fuel and we will not do so” (Cheadle, Canadian Press).

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