Canada is seeking an international partner for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd's nuclear reactor business and private management of a government-owned reactor that produces much of the world's radioactive isotopes used to diagnose cancer patients, according to AP. Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt Today said the sale of the government's ownership stake will strengthen AECL and help boost global sales of its Candu reactors. The government is hoping to make the Candu reactors competitive with bids from France and the United States. «We have a great sense of pride in our nuclear technology,» Raitt told a press conference. «We think we can compete on a global scale, but we need help in getting out into the international community.» AECL's two main competitors for the reactor deal are France's Areva Group and the U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric Co. «In the global marketplace, we've being seeing partnerships in the nuclear field. Areva has expressed an interest in our reactors. However, during my time, I've also had several Canadian companies express their interest,» said Rait. Raitt said AECL will be divided into two companies, the Candu reactor business and the National Research Unit at Chalk River, Ontario. The unit at Chalk River produces up to 40-60 percent of the global supply of medical isotopes used to detect cancer and heart ailments. The reactor was shut down earlier this month because of leaking radioactive material, sparking a shortage of isotopes. It was the second time the problem-plagued Chalk River reactor was closed in less than two years.
