On December 27, 2007, Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn fired off a letter to Linda Keen, President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Keen and the federal government were at loggerheads over the shutdown of the Chalk River Nuclear Laboratory. In his letter, released today by the Commission, Lunn basically asked Keen to give him a reason why she shouldn’t be fired.
Excerpts from Lunn’s letter to Keen:
I am writing to convey to you my deep concern with respect to the actions of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (the “Commission”), of which you are President, that resulted in the continued shutdown of the NRU reactor at Chalk River, Ontario. My concern extends to the failure of the Commission to facilitate the return to operation of the NRU reactor in a timely manner, considering that it is the primary source of medical isotopes necessary for the critical health care of Canadians . . .
These events have cast doubt on whether you possess the fundamental good judgement required by the incumbent of the office of President of the Commission, and whether you are duly executing the requirements of the office. Serious questions have arisen about whether the Commission, under your leadership, could have dealt more appropriately with the risk management of the situation . . .
… The continuing refusal of the Commission, under your leadership, to prevent unreasonable risk to the health of Canadians potentially undermines public confidence in the regulation of the nuclear industry in Canada. These doubts have led me to question whether you should continue to serve as President of the Commission. The measure taken by Parliament to adopt Bill C-38 also suggests a lack of confidence by all parties in your judgement . . .
You should be aware that I am considering making a recommendation to the Governor in Council that your designation as President of the Commission be terminated while maintaining your status as a full-time member of the Commission. However, before I decide whether or not to make that recommendation, I am prepared to hear from you . . .
Be sure to read Keen’s response.