Thousands tour Chalk River nuclear site
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, Ont., opened its doors on Saturday to allow the public to take a rare look inside their facilities.
Over 3,000 people attended CNL's first open house in five years. Normally the public is not permitted to visit due to the sensitive materials on site.
"The turnout that we are seeing for this event is indicative of the pent-up desire for people to see what's going on," said Joe McBrearty, president and CEO of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.
The location is under heavy security with visitors having to pass through a checkpoint before travelling down a kilometres-long road before reaching any facilities. Armoured vehicles, armed guards, and security checkpoints scatter the property.
"It is a nuclear site and it is not easy to get into any nuclear site across this country or anywhere around the world," said Fred Dermarkar, president of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the federal entity that owns the site.
"I think for the general public they generally don't understand the scope of what goes on," Dermarkar says. "And that's why it's so important for them to have this kind of opportunity to come see it first-hand."
One goal of the open house was to dispel notions the public may have of nuclear sites from movies and television shows. Visions of a bumbling Homer Simpson in front of a nuclear control panel simply do not do CNL justice.
For instance, cancer research, known as targeted alpha therapy, is carried out at the facility.
"That's a form of cancer treatment where we administer a drug to the patient," says radiochemical technologist Randy Perron. "It has a radioactive isotope on it, it emits an alpha particle. And it selectively targets cancer cells and leaves healthy cells alone."
CNL is also working with companies like Global First Power to develop small nuclear reactors that can connect off grid communities.
"Our plan is to build this reactor before the end of this decade," Eric McGoey, director of engagement and communications at Global First Power tells CTV News Ottawa. "We're hoping to be producing power here on the site at Chalk River."
"This would be making five megawatts of electricity. That's enough power for a town of about 5,000 people."
The site is over 70 years old now and has been home to decades of nuclear research. A sixth of the 2,800 large workforce is dedicated to safely demolishing old contaminated buildings.
The CNL site in Chalk River is one of five across Canada. Dermarkar hopes that the public leave the tour with the understanding that the people in their community, who work at the site, have the ability to solve the world's energy, environmental, and health care problems.
"I think this site has a tremendous role to play in helping propel Canada and the world forward in terms of solving those problems."
And sometimes you just don't see that as you drive up Hwy. 17 and all there is is a traffic light," adds McBrearty.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.