Ontario Construction News staff writer
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) has selected Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada Inc. (NLPoC) as the Preferred Bidder for the next contract to manage and operate Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) beyond September 2025.
The joint venture — including BWXT Government Group Inc., Amentum Environment & Energy Inc., and Kinectrics Inc., with Battelle Memorial Institute as a key subcontractor—will take over operational responsibilities following a transition period that begins in the coming weeks. Dennis Carr will assume the role of CNL president and CEO on September 13, 2025.
Jack Craig, current CNL president and CEO, welcomed the announcement and praised the new parent company’s credentials.
“This is welcome news for the future of Canada’s national nuclear laboratories, putting our operations into the hands of a parent company with extensive experience managing national-scale nuclear sites, laboratories and projects,” said Craig. “Their management team brings knowledge and expertise that will benefit the Canadian nuclear industry.”
Craig emphasized that while the contractor is changing, CNL’s mission and daily operations will remain stable under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated (GoCo) model adopted in 2015.
“The GoCo model has enabled CNL to implement an inspiring corporate vision and leverage private-sector expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes in our work,” he said. “With this selection, we will now have the ability to tap into the capabilities of Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada while continuing to serve as the enduring entity in the model, which ensures stability in our personnel, mission, and day-to-day work.”
The scope of the new contract includes managing all AECL sites and assets, including Chalk River Laboratories, and overseeing environmental remediation projects in Port Hope, Ont.; Whiteshell Laboratories in Pinawa, Man.; and other AECL locations. It also includes delivering on AECL’s innovation agenda in clean energy, health sciences, and nuclear security, and continuing the revitalization of the Chalk River campus.
“CNL will continue to build on the progress made to date and take full advantage of – and help accelerate – the resurgence in nuclear energy, science and technology,” said Craig. “With a scope of work that includes Canada’s largest and most complex decommissioning and remediation projects, Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada’s experience and expertise will be invaluable to all that we do.”
AECL noted that the new contract was developed following public and Indigenous engagement and reflects national priorities such as addressing climate change through research and innovation.
AECL also expressed appreciation for the work of the outgoing contractor, Canadian National Energy Alliance—a consortium of AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs Engineering, and Fluor Federal Services. Over the past decade, the team has played a key role in advancing science and technology, accelerating cleanup projects, modernizing infrastructure, and contributing to reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Craig said he looks forward to working with the new contractor in the coming months as the transition progresses.
“I have no doubt that the next contract period will prove to be just as productive and successful for CNL as the last,” he said.
Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada Inc. will assume responsibility of CNL, with Dennis Carr as president and CEO, on Sept. 13, following a transition period that will commence in the coming weeks. The scope of work, a copy of which is available on AECL’s website, was developed following a public and Indigenous engagement phase where members of the public, local communities, and Indigenous Nations and communities were invited to provide comments.
“While the new contractor will bring about a change in leadership, CNL will continue to build on the progress made to date and take full advantage of – and help accelerate – the resurgence in nuclear energy, science and technology. With a scope of work that includes Canada’s largest and most complex decommissioning and remediation projects, execution of AECL’s innovation agenda in clean energy, health sciences and nuclear security, and the continued renewal of the Chalk River Laboratories campus, Nuclear Laboratory Partners of Canada’s experience and expertise will be invaluable to all that we do.”
This change in management will not affect ongoing work, projects and priorities of CNL, as CNL’s missions and mandate are not changing, and it continues to be responsible for operating AECL’s sites and assets.
