Statement by Denise Carpenter, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association on the 25th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Accident

OTTAWA (23 avril 2011) – “As we reflect on the tragic events of April 26, 1986 at the Chernobyl power plant in the Ukraine, we remember those who perished, those who lost loved ones and those whose lives were forever affected. The accident shocked the nuclear community, and showed us that the industry had to modernize.

The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) was created in response to the Chernobyl accident to foster international cooperation and dialogue among the nuclear industry. From this tragedy emerged a culture of collaboration and a commitment to continuous safety among the global nuclear community.

With the March 2011 events at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi power plant unfolding almost exactly 25 years after Chernobyl, we also recognize our industry needs to remain diligent. Through WANO, Canada has been taking part in ongoing dialogues with colleagues around the world, including Japan, to learn and share invaluable information.

Here at home, all Canadian operators have committed to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) that we will work together via a joint committee to ensure the safety and accident management processes of our operations are robust, and that timely action is taken to address any lessons learned from Fukushima.

Planning for the unthinkable makes our industry stronger and safer. As we assist the Japanese, we are improving our already strong emergency preparedness plans.

As an industry, we are committed to working together in the coming weeks and years to share lessons learned in the pursuit of nuclear excellence. But today, on behalf of the 71,000 workers in Canada’s nuclear industry, we pause to remember those affected by the Chernobyl accident and the recent events in Japan.”

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Erin Polka
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613-237-4262, poste 101