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.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories: A Global Leader in Nuclear Science

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.

Our Priorities

Clean energy for today and tomorrow

To build a clean energy future here in Canada, we have to pursue scientific progress today. Science to develop energy that is free of greenhouse gases; science to protect our environment; and, science to make clean energy technologies work better together.Click to connect

Restore and protect the environment

CNL has developed some of the world’s most advanced waste management technologies and practices. And now our talented engineers, researchers and operators are putting them to good use – tackling some of the world’s most challenging environmental problems.Learn More

Contribute to the health of Canadians

For 75 years, CNL has been at the forefront of innovation in nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceuticals, and low dose radiation research. We’ve changed the lives of millions of people around the world. And now, we are about to do it again.Explore our work

Latest News

  • Dennis Carr

    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.

    - Dennis Carr, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

    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

    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.

  • 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

    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.

  • 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.

Land Acknowledgment

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) operates on ceded, unceded and unsurrendered traditional territories of numerous First Nations. At CNL, we recognize the unique history, spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and languages of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and we appreciate the responsibility they have as stewards of the environment. We remain firmly committed to being an active participant on Canada’s journey towards healing and reconciliation.