'That's not true': Canadian official takes on Bowen's claim that Ontario artificially drives down cost of nuclear energy with $6 billion in government subsidies
Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne told Sky News Australia the Canadian technology would be ideal to export to Australia, saying:"The world is really looking at three things. It’s around food security, energy security and supply chain resilience. However, Canadian authorities say one of the biggest criticisms from Australian detractors of nuclear - that Canada's nuclear power relies on subsidies - is incorrect.
But most of that money is funnelled into the operations at Chalk River, which is predominately a research facility. But when it comes to deciding whether nuclear is right for Australia, cost and efficiency aren't the only considerations.At the Chalk River Facility, about 190km from Ontario, a 'Near Surface Disposal Facility' has been green lit to store nuclear waste.They're built in with an integrated system to detect leaks.
"There’s no other industry where that would be acceptable that your ongoing rolling stewardship or storage of that waste leaving it for the next generation. So we’re highly invested in ensuring there is a final disposal solution. We know technologically what that solution is, it’s just getting that trust with the community and the indigenous communities."