Organization of Candu Industries

Member Directory

Message from the President

Dear OCI Member:

Yesterday the Ontario Government announced an indefinite delay in the RFP process for selection of Ontario’s nuclear units. The announcement stated that of the three bidders only the AECL bid was compliant and that following review AECL’s was also the best bid. The reasons for suspension of the process were given as the high price and the uncertainty over AECL’s ownership.

OCI acted swiftly to express its concern and to question why in these circumstances the Province could not have made the obvious technology selection and then started negotiating. This story was run by a number of newspapers as well as BNN, Global News and CBC radio.

When the Government started the RFP process it also instituted a communications ban. This ban has prevented them from informing themselves about the consequences to the industry of their actions and discussing with the industry appropriate strategies to ensure export success. While other industries such as automotive and aerospace have been in routine talks about the challenges the Province has so far not met with the nuclear manufacturers. Discussions with the industry must now take place and I will be writing to Dalton McGuinty to request meetings with the Minister responsible for the Province’s Nuclear Industry.

I think that it is important that the Provincial Government understands how much has been invested by our member companies in responding to this RFP. Some will have had to prepare quotations for all three vendors, others have made very significant investments to position themselves for this work.

I personally would also like them to explain how they intend to remove coal fired generation from our supply mix and meet the environmental promises that they have made.

It is my hope that the Government will now start meetings with the industry and I will report on them as soon as they take place. In the meantime it is highly appropriate for you to write to your MPP to ask them why they are not negotiating directly and what they propose to do to meet their environmental obligations.

Neil Alexander

President, OCI

OCI Blogger: join in

OCI supports the government’s strategy to strengthen Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (5/28/2009)

A strong AECL is good for Canada’s nuclear industry

Ottawa to sell AECL's nuclear branch (5/28/2009)

Plans to bring in private-sector management for beleaguered Chalk River facility

New reactor could mean new jobs for Ontario (5/19/2009)

Infrastructure: Domestic content wanted;

OCI IS THE VOICE OF THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY

The Organization of CANDU Industries (OCI) was incorporated in 1979 to promote export sales for its member companies who supply services and reactor components to international and domestic markets. OCI’s mission is to promote a healthy nuclear power industry in Canada. Now comprised of more than 127 private sector companies, the function of OCI has evolved as a result of significant growth in its membership and the need for a strong advocate for nuclear energy with politicians, media and the public.

OCI liaises with and advocates for industry partners, the media, politicians, stakeholders and the public and arranges key industry events, such as Supplier’s Days, industry seminars and trade missions. The relationships we build allow OCI to collaborate on manufacturing and services solutions for nuclear customers and to continue to promote and build a healthy Canadian nuclear power industry.

OCI growth is a testimony to the value it brings to its membership and the nuclear industry in Canada.

Looking to do more export in the nuclear industry but do need more financial resources?

Export Market Access: A Global Expansion Program (EMA) is designed to assist small to medium size organizations (SMEs) to access and expand their growth in new foreign markets that are beyond the U.S.

If your company has 5 or more employees and annual sales of $500,000 or more, you may qualify for a grant covering up to 50% of eligible costs incurred to develop export sales. Eligible activities include market research, marketing tools, direct contacts and foreign bidding projects.

To find out if your company qualifies, please review the information on this website.

Export Market Access is an initiative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, with support and funding from the Government of Ontario. Check their website for more information. www.exportaccess.ca

Ontario Power Authority

Your Best Bid Event by Durham Region on May 8, 2009