Canada’s national nuclear laboratory

CNL is Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, and a world leader in developing nuclear technology for peaceful and innovative applications. Using our unique expertise, we are restoring and protecting the environment, we are advancing clean energy technology, and our medical breakthroughs continue to improve the health of people around the world.

Structure

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) has contracted CNL to manage and operate its sites and facilities across the country. It is also contracted to carry out AECL’s mandate to enable nuclear science and technology and to protect the environment by fulfilling the government of Canada’s radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities. In turn, AECL sets the direction and oversees the contract.

While AECL owns the sites and the nuclear liabilities, CNL is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the facilities. CNL operates under a GoCo model, meaning government-owned, contractor-operated.

The Government of Canada selected the Canadian National Energy Alliance, a private sector consortium that represents some of the world’s most experienced nuclear engineering and management firms, to run CNL in 2015 after an international competition.

Our Priorities

Latest News

AECL and CNL to host annual community update on the future of the Chalk River Laboratories

Community invited to learn more about Canada’s national nuclear laboratories through public webinar discussing current projects and future plans Chalk......

Read More AECL and CNL to host annual community update on the future of the Chalk River Laboratories
CNL Science Week Camps return for 2023

While our university relationships have been getting all the attention lately, we haven’t forgotten just how important it is for......

Read More CNL Science Week Camps return for 2023
CNL, AECL and Western University to collaborate on joint research under new agreement

Collaborative research agreement with one of Canada’s leading universities continues growth of academic partnership network for Canada’s national nuclear laboratories......

Read More CNL, AECL and Western University to collaborate on joint research under new agreement

CNL is committed to developing and maintaining solid, long-term relationships with all of our stakeholders. These include the local communities where we work, the companies we do business with, as well as the public at large. Only through the strong support of our communities will we be able to supply our customers with the nuclear science and technology services they need, while contributing to a strong economy, a clean environment and a healthy society.
- Joe McBrearty, President & CEO

Community Resources:

Developing the workforce of the future.

With roughly 3,000 employees working in laboratory or project sites across the country, CNL’s strength lies in its people. These individuals develop valuable skills, experience and abilities in a wide range of disciplines. Far beyond simply meeting the needs of the nuclear sector, the skills, training and educational opportunities supported by CNL further strengthen Canada’s workforce and competitive edge.

Through CNL, Canada’s next generation of outstanding nuclear scientists, engineers, operators and entrepreneurs are being trained. The nuclear laboratories will continue to support the development of highly qualified people for the public sector, private sector and academia.

We offer employees the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. If you are talented, driven and have the vision to lead, your potential growth at CNL is unlimited. Join our team and we can grow and achieve our results and goals together!

Start your career at CNL!

Click here to view the employment opportunities across CNL.

The list is updated often, so check back regularly.

A Journey with Purpose

1944
Chalk River Laboratories siting
Chalk River, Ontario is officially chosen for the site of the new Defence Industries Limited “Petawawa Works.” The laboratories were transferred to the National Research Council of Canada in 1947, which acted as an agent for the federal Atomic Energy Control Board. The site was later incorporated as AECL.
1945
A first for Canada
Zero Energy Experimental Pile (ZEEP) reactor comes online at the Chalk River site. This was the first controlled nuclear chain reaction outside of the United States. ZEEP was a small reactor which helped guide the development of the larger National Research X-perimental (NRX) reactor.
1947
National Research Experimental (NRX)
The NRX research reactor comes online and generates the highest neutron flux in the world. NRX was a multipurpose research reactor used to develop new isotopes, test materials and fuels (including the first uranium oxide fuels which became the international standard), and produce neutron radiation beams for research. NRX went offline in 1992.
1950
Neutron research
In the 1950's Dr. Bertram Brockhouse begins neutron beam research in the NRX reactor. This work won Brockhouse the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1994.
1952
A breakthrough in cancer treatment
AECL produced the radioisotope Cobalt-60. This materials, still used today, which was first used for cancer treatment through work by two separate teams in London (ON) and Saskatoon (SK).
1952
The creation of AECL
The National Research Council of Canada nuclear laboratory was transferred to the newly-incorporated federal crown corporation Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). NRX suffers a major accident but is rebuilt and restarted within 14 months.
1957
NRU comes to life
The National Research Universal (NRU) reactor comes online and is the world’s most powerful research reactor. This is also the first reactor in the world to refuel online. The NRU is a multi-mission facility, used to develop radioisotopes, test materials and fuels, and produce neutron radiation beams for research.
1960
Zero power, lots of possibility
The Zero Energy Deuterium (ZED)-2 reactor comes online at the Chalk River Laboratories. ZED-2 is still used for reactor physics and nuclear fuel research today.
1960
1960
Construction begins.
1962
Nuclear power to the grid
The Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) reactor comes online in Rolphton, Ontario and is the first nuclear power-generating reactor in Canada to prove the CANDU® concept. In the years following, CANDU reactors would come online in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Argentina, China, India, South Korea, and Romania.
1964
WR-1: Whiteshell’s first reactor
Whiteshell Reactor (WR)-1 starts up in the Whiteshell Labs and is the world’s first organic-cooled research reactor.
1965
Safer food through irradiation
The world’s first food irradiator, built and designed by AECL, goes into operation. This technology improves the safety and extends the shelf life of foods by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects.
1967
1967 – 1984
Provides clean, reliable electricity to the grid, and valuable operating experience, helping to advance reactor development in Canada and internationally
1970
SLOWPOKE
AECL designs and builds the prototype SLOWPOKE research reactor. It is sold to seven Canadian universities and research facilities, and one to the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.
1977
1977
Development of Dry Storage concept which is used at all major nuclear facilities in Canada as well as around the world. AECL developed many technologies that have become the nuclear industry standard, including the dry storage concept for spent fuel using concrete canisters. This concept is now used across Canada as well as around the world.
1978
1978
The Underground Research Laboratory (URL) was constructed to develop and defend the concept of deep geological disposal of Canada’s nuclear fuel waste. Work conducted at the URL contributed greatly to the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program and Canada’s Nuclear Fuel Waste Act, as well as to waste management programs for several other countries including Japan, France and Sweden who accessed this world class facility.
1984
1984 – 1987
Operations cease and the facility is shut down. In the first phase of decommissioning (1984 - 1987) fuel is removed and transferred to on site dry storage. The reactor coolant is drained.
1985
Accellerating science (TASCC)
The Tandem Accelerator Superconducting Cyclotron (TASCC) produces the first beam at Chalk River Laboratories. Elements from protons to uranium can be accelerated to research nuclear, atomic, and environmental science materials.
1987
1987 – 2020
Phase 2 of decommissioning (1987 - 2020), known as "storage with surveillance" begins. In this stage, with fuel and coolant removed, CNL continues to maintain, update and repair the facility as needed.
1991
A safer world through technology
AECL develops the Cerenkov Viewing Device (CVD) used by the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor spent fuel inventory.
2000
A safe and secure world
AECL tests bundles of American Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel at the Chalk River Laboratories in the NRU reactor. The tests are part of a Canadian government proposal to reduce world-wide weapon-grade plutonium by “burning” it in reactors.
2009
Thorium fuels
AECL demonstrated Thorium fuel for use in CANDU reactors.
2010
Muons for research and security
AECL, in conjunction with government agencies and industry, develop a muon detector to monitor transport containers for nuclear materials. The device is known as CRIPT for Cosmic Ray Imaging and Passive Tomography.
2014
CNL “stands up”
On November 3, 2014, AECL launched a wholly-owned subsidiary named Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is "stood up" to manage and operate the AECL laboratories, sites and projects.
2016
A Vision
CNL develops its vision for Small Modular Reactors, and announces the ambitious goal of siting an SMR on a CNL-managed site.
2016
Environmental remediation underway
CNL began two major environmental remediation projects: the Near Surface Disposal Facility to dispose of low-level radioactive waste; and the Nuclear Power Demonstration Closure Project to safely decommission the facility and complete the closure of the NPD site.
2017
Gathering perspectives
In 2017, CNL launched an international request for information on small modular reactors. We recieved over 80 responses from industry, academia, supply chain, SMR vendors, and the general public.
2017
March 2017
Draft Environmental Impact Statement submitted to the CNSC.
2017
May – August 2017
Formal public and Indigenous comment period on draft EIS.
2017
September 2017
CNL receives all comments and information requests on the draft EIS.
2017
A global hub for SMR development
CNL launches its program to site a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) demonstration unit at one of its managed sites before 2030.
2017
A revitalization of the Chalk River campus
AECL, on behalf of the Government of Canada, announced the investment of $1.2 billion into the revitalization of the Chalk River Laboratories. This includes the construction of new infrastructure, support buildings and the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre.
2017
September 2017
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the formal comment period begins
2017
November 2017
Draft Environmental Impact Statement submitted to the CNSC
2018
January 2018
CNL receives all comments and information requests on the draft EIS
2018
Invitation Process
In 2018, CNL launched a four-stage process inviting interested SMR technology developers to begin a pre-qualification for siting an SMR demonstration reactor at a CNL-managed site.
2018
Applications underway
In 2019 February, CNL announces that several respondents have successfully completed one of the stages in the Invitation Process. One of whom, Global First Power (GFP) has progressed through the second stage of the invitation process.
2018
February 2018
Formal public and Indigenous comment period on draft EIS concludes
2018
A new lab for cyber security expertise
CNL opened the National Innovation Centre for Cybersecurity in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to focus on the protection of reactor and industrial control systems.
2019
Licencing begins
In April of 2019, Global First Power (GFP), announce their submission of an application to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for a “Licence to Prepare Site” for a small modular reactor (SMR) on Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s property at the Chalk River Laboratories. This application submission is the first step in the CNSC licensing process.
2019
Environmental Assessment begins
On July 15, 2019 the Notice of Commencement of an environmental assessment was posted for Global First Power's (GFP) proposal to construct and operate a 5 MW electrical “Micro Modular Reactor” (MMR) plant at the CRL campus.
2019
Enabling targetted alpha therapy
CNL launches a new program to advance the production, availability and scientific understanding of actinium-225, a rare isotope that has shown promise as the basis for new, cutting-edge cancer therapies.
2019
November 2019
CNL addressing responses to comments on draft EIS. Revised draft EIS submitted.
2020
Preferred site identified
In the fall of 2020, GFP completes preliminary geotechnical studies on a preferred location on the CRL campus.
2020
May 2021
CNL submits final EIS and responses to public and Indigenous comments to the CNSC.
2020
July 2021
CNSC Staff deem EIS and licensing application documents acceptable.
2020
February 22, 2022
CNSC Commission Hearing Part 1.
2020
May 3- June 2, 2022
CNSC Commission Hearing Part 2.
2020
July 2022
Procedural Direction Announced.
2020
March 2018
CNL receives all comments and information requests on the draft EIS
2020
Current Stage
CNL addressing responses to comments on draft EIS and preparing supplemental studies requested
2020
Date to be determined
CNL submits final EIS to CNSC and responses to public comments
2020
Upcoming
CNSC Commission Hearing Part 1. Dates to be determined.
2020
Upcoming (TBD)
Public and Indigenous intervention period on CNSC’s EA report
2020
Upcoming
CNSC Commission Hearing Part 2. Dates to be determined.
2020
Upcoming (TBD)
EA and licensing decision
2020
March 2020
Updated draft EIS submitted to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
2020
Ongoing
CNL address all comments received on the draft EIS and prepares supplemental studies
2020
June 2022
CNL submits updated draft EIS to CNSC
2020
Current stage
CNSC completeness check. Federal and Provincial technical review
2020
2023 to 2024

CNL submits to CNSC: final EIS, responses to comments

CNSC Commission Hearing Part 1

Intervention period on CNSC EA report

CNSC Commission Hearing Part 2

CNSC EA and licensing decision
2020
2021 – 2025
During this period, the Douglas Point site should see a change in the footprint of the facility with the dismantling and removal of the non-nuclear building and some of the nuclear buildings.
2020
2022 – 2025
Planned activities include the decommissioning, dismantlement and removal of the purification building, service building, and resin storage tanks and vault.
2020
2024 – 2030
Planned activities include the reactor building clean out. This includes decommissioning, dismantlement and removal of building systems.
2020
After 2030
Planned activities include decommissioning, dismantlement and removal of the spent fuel canister area, the reactor and reactor building.
2020
2070
Facility removed. Decommissioning complete.
2020
Fighting a pandemic
In response to the urgent need for ventilators as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, CNL was part of an international effort to rapidly design and then get to market a ventilator that is simple to manufacture and safe for use.
2021
(Planned) Site Preparation and Construction
Pending successful completion of the environmental assessment and necessary regulatory processes, Global First Power plans to begin site preparation and construction in mid-2023.
2021
(Planned) Commissioning and Operation
Pending successful completion of the environmental assessment and necessary regulatory processes, Global First Power plans to begin reactor commissioning and operation in 2025.
2021
1947
National Research Experimental Reactor (NRX) goes online. The first shipment of a medical isotope, Cerium 144, was shipped to the University of Saskatchewan three months after the NRX started.
2021
1948
I-131 production started in NRX
2021
1949
Routine production of iodine 131 for pharmaceutical use along with carbon 14, phosphorous 32 and sulfur 35 for R&D.
2021
1949
CRL begins to supply Co-60 to industry.
2021
1949
Routine C-14 production commences.
2021
1951
World’s first megavoltage cancer treatment was delivered with an external beam radiotherapy system, Eldorado A, developed by and using cobalt 60 from Chalk River.
2021
1952
Montreal General Hospital requests permit to use I-131 in localization of brain tumours
2021
1953
Routine Ir-192 production in NRX
2021
1957
National Research Universal Reactor (NRU), a multi-purpose research reactor goes online at Chalk River Laboratories.
2021
1957
Gammacell self-contained research irradiator introduced.
2021
1961
Mobile production irradiator cobalt 60 production irradiator used to illustrate the benefits for food irradiation.
2021
1964
First cobalt 60 industrial sterilization facility to sterilize medical supplies.
2021
1965
The start-up of the world's first commercial food irradiation facility in Mont St. Hillaire, Quebec.
2021
1966
NRX starts producing I-125.
2021
1968
NRU starts producing I-125.
2021
1970
First Molybdenum 99 produced in NRU. NRU would produce enough Mo-99 for over 400 million scans.
2021
1971
First Molybdenum 99 produced in NRX.
2021
1971
Kanata cobalt processing facilities open.
2021
1972
Routine shipments of CRL irradiated Mo-99 targets to Tunney’s Pasture.
2021
1974
Chalk River Laboratories begins large scale production of Molybdenum-99. This mission would go on to service the global healthcare market for over 50 years. Steadily delivering 30-40% of worldwide demand, at its peak as much as 80%.
2021
1977
CRL Mo-99 processing facility commissioned.
2021
January 2023
Written submission for Procedural Direction.
2021
1978
Team with TRIUMF to produce iodine 123; the same facilities will go on to produce palladium 103, strontium 82, thallium 201, indium 111, gadolinium 67 and cobalt 57 in the subsequent two years
2021
1979
Xenon-133 production begin as a by-product of AECL’s Molybdenum-99 operation
2021
1981
Trial Sm-153 irradiation/production in NRU
2021
1982
First cyclotron-produced isotopes shipped from Vancouver facilities.
2021
1983
Kanata (future Nordion) isotope processing facilities open
2021
1985
First to develop Xenon-133 as a medical isotope.
2021
1987
Canadian Irradiation Centre opens in Laval for demonstration and training
2021
1990
Nordion Europe created with the acquisition of Belgium manufacturing facility.
2021
1988
Commercial Products Division is renamed Nordion Inc.
2021
1990
Therasphere production commences in NRU.
2021
1991
Yttrium-90 Theraspheres are approved by Health and Welfare Canada for general use.
2021
1991
Creating jobs and new companies, AECL completes its most successful commercial spinoff, Nordion, sale to MDS Inc.
2021
1998
The division which produced Cobalt 60 external beam therapy systems and radiotherapy computerized treatment planning systems was sold to MDS Nordion.
2021
1998
Biological Research Facility, a globally unique low dose radiation animal research facility is commissioned.
2021
2003
Biological Research Facility advances use of radiation and isotopes by demonstrating low dose gamma radiation reduces tumor latency times in mice.
2021
2014
Biological Research Facility develops use of low-dose radiation to enhance the performance of stem cells.
2021
2018
Biological Research Facility contributes to pre-clinical and toxicology studies for use of next generation isotopes like Ac-225 and Lu-177.
2021
2019
CNL and TRIUMF organize the 11^th Targeted-Alpha-Therapy Symposium in Ottawa, Canada.
2021
2020
Developing next generation isotope production, CNL begins commercial sale of Actinium 225 while the Biological Research Facility contributes to pre-clinical and toxicology studies for use of next generation isotopes like Ac-225 and Lu-177.
2021
2021
(Pending) The Biological Research Facilities at CNL receives GLP certification.
2022
June 2023
EA and Licence decision.