AECL documents left in newsroom
The documents, many of which were labeled "secret", detailed funding of the Crown corporation, Conservative strategy and other background material pertaining to the sale of AECL's Candu division.
The documents also state that the federal government has been putting more money into AECL than it publicly acknowledged in the budget. As quoted from the CTV story:
“In documents headlined ‘Background for discussion with chair of Atomic Energy Canada,’ the government lists funding for the Crown corporation at $351 million for 2009-2010. That figure was in the January budget.
“However, it also lists $72 million to ‘maintain the option of isotope production.’ The public 2009 budget does not specifically mention funding for isotopes.
“The documents also include a hand-written note that lists total funding for Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. since 2006 at $1.7 billion, and then a talking-point memo to characterize the spending as ‘cleaning up a Liberal mess.’”
AECL's Candu division, which manufactures and develops nuclear reactors, was put up for sale just recently. The Crown corporation is also facing issues keeping its reactor at Chalk River on line.
This isn't the first time that a federal Cabinet minister or their staff was negligent with sensitive documents. Former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier was involved in a high-profile scandal surrounding NATO dossiers he left behind at his then-girlfriend's house. Bernier ended up resigning from his Cabinet position.
Related News

American Households Struggle with Sky-High Energy Bills During Extreme Summer Heat
WASHINGTON - As the sweltering heat of summer continues to grip much of the United States, American households are grappling with a staggering rise in energy bills. The combination of record-breaking temperatures and soaring energy costs is placing an unprecedented financial strain on families, raising concerns about the long-term impact on household budgets and overall well-being.
Record Heat and Energy Consumption
This summer has witnessed some of the hottest temperatures on record across the country. With many regions experiencing prolonged heatwaves, the demand for air conditioning and cooling systems has surged. The increased use of these energy-intensive appliances has led…