Government of Canada Announces $2.2 Billion Capital Commitment for Chalk River Laboratories Renewal

Federal funding commitment enables ongoing site revitalization of Canada's national nuclear laboratories, supporting Canada's New Strategy for Nuclear Energy GNW

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Federal funding commitment enables ongoing site revitalization of Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, supporting Canada’s New Strategy for Nuclear Energy

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CHALK RIVER, Ontario, May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is pleased to announce that it has received a $2.2 billion capital commitment from the Government of Canada to continue the revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories. The Government shared the announcement at the Canadian Nuclear Association’s 2026 Conference as an important enabler to the new ‘Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada,’ which will be released by the end of 2026, and which is focused on growing the Canadian nuclear industry to achieve energy affordability and security at home, while seizing the global opportunities.

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The capital commitment, which will be made available to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) by AECL, allows CNL to continue to modernize the AECL-owned Chalk River Laboratories campus through the revitalization of essential site infrastructure and a significant investment in new, world-class science facilities. As the campus that delivers the scientific and technical research and innovation underpinning the domestic nuclear industry, the investment will support Canada’s continued nuclear energy leadership in areas that include power generation, fuel development, safety and security, decommissioning and waste management, and reactor life extension and reliability.

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“Canada has been a global science leader from the very beginning of the nuclear age, led by ambitious scientists and federal government support,” commented The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Nuclear leadership, and building the next generation of clean, affordable nuclear energy production means making serious investments in Canada’s homegrown scientific capacity. Strategic investments like these will create jobs, advance energy security, and strengthen Canadian sovereignty.”

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“This investment reflects the Government of Canada’s confidence in the strategic value of Chalk River Laboratories and the role AECL plays in enabling nuclear science and innovation for Canada,” added Fred Dermarkar, AECL’s President and CEO. “It will help ensure this nationally important site continues to support clean energy, innovation and long-term economic opportunities.”

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“CNL is grateful to AECL and the Government of Canada for this funding, which will continue to transform the Chalk River Laboratories into a modern, sustainable and innovative national campus,” commented Dennis Carr, CNL’s President and CEO. “The nuclear industry is moving into a new era that will include the construction of new, large-scale conventional reactors, innovative SMR and advanced reactor designs, and even the deployment of fusion technologies. All these ambitious projects will require extensive R&D and the necessary innovation to ensure they are safe, reliable and viable. That is the role of Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, and I want to thank AECL and the Government of Canada for their confidence in CNL to fulfill this responsibility.”