Linda Keen, internationally respected expert in nuclear safety was fired from her role as Canada's top regulator for nuclear safety when the CNSC insisted that Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) live up to its license requirements under federal law at the NRU reactor in Chalk River, Ontario. The violation was discovered in an inspection when the NRU reactor, dedicated to production of medical radio-isotopes, was closed for other repairs. The violation was due to AECL's failure to install required back-up energy systems to ensure that if the Chalk River reactor lost power in an earthquake, power to maintain coolant would be available. Chalk River is in an earthquake prone region.
At a press conference on April 1st, linking to Ottawa and Saanich Peninsula locations, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May welcomed Linda's endorsement.
