Canada takes another important step in the Port Hope Area Initiative

The Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation and Member of Parliament for Durham, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, today announced a contract worth more than $10 million in relation to the long-term historic low-level waste management facility in Port Granby, Ontario. The contract was awarded to AECOM Canada Ltd. of Markham, Ontario.

AECOM Canada Ltd. will complete a detailed design of the long-term waste management facility, design the associated supporting infrastructure and plan the remediation of the existing waste management facility, and oversee the construction phase of the project. Design work will begin right away. Construction is expected to start in 2012 subject to government regulatory approvals.

"The Government of Canada is committed to the clean-up and safe long-term management of historic low-level radioactive waste in the Port Granby area," said Minister Oda. "We're happy to work with our partners, Natural Resources Canada, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and this region. Today's announcement marks the latest milestone in the Government of Canada's efforts to fulfill its environmental obligations in southeast Clarington."

"Public Works and Government Services Canada is working hard with our partners on the Port Hope Area Initiative," said Minister Ambrose. "The Government of Canada has shown a real commitment to get this project moving forward. This is a positive step towards improving the Port Granby area."

The design work will be funded under the Port Hope Area Initiative, which includes remediation initiatives in the municipalities of Port Hope and Clarington. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is the federal department responsible for the Port Hope Area Initiative. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited has been designated by NRCan as the proponent and has overall responsibility for the project, and Public Works and Government Services Canada serves as the lead department on all major contracts. The construction, operation and long-term maintenance and monitoring of the facilities will be carried out in accordance with licensing conditions and approvals received from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

"The CNSC will continue to make sure that the health of the citizens of Clarington and their environment are protected," said Michael Binder, CNSC President.

"The announcement of this contract is good news for the residents of Port Granby and the surrounding communities," said Jim Abernethy, Mayor of Clarington. "This contract brings us one step closer to the environmental cleanup we need, as promised by the federal government."

In 2001, the Government of Canada signed a legal agreement with the municipalities of Clarington and Port Hope that led to the Port Hope Area Initiative. The historic low-level radioactive waste originated from radium and uranium refining activities dating back to the 1930s in the Port Hope area.