Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to establish National Innovation Centre in Fredericton

FREDERICTON (GNB) – After considering multiple jurisdictions, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) selected New Brunswick to establish its National Innovation Centre. This will help the company significantly expand its cybersecurity research capabilities.

CNL will invest more than $3 million in equipment and security for its new Knowledge Park facility. It will also add 24 employees to its Fredericton office over five years. The company is seeking highly skilled employees from a variety of disciplines, including computer science, systems engineering, applied physics and mathematics.

“Cybersecurity is identified as a growth opportunity in your government’s multi-year economic growth plan,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “When leading companies like CNL choose New Brunswick due to our world-class infrastructure, education facilities and skilled workforce, it reinforces that our province is a leader in this important sector.”

This new facility will be conducting research and development to address the current and future challenges facing process-control systems in critical infrastructure.

“CNL is pleased to join a growing cyber cluster that is rapidly transforming New Brunswick into a cybersecurity research and innovation hub,” said Mark Lesinski, president and CEO of CNL. “The security of industrial control systems has become a major priority for all industries, including nuclear, and now represents a multi-billion dollar worldwide market. We are pleased with the support and partnership from the provincial government and Opportunities NB.”

The creation of up to 24 jobs would add an estimated $10.2 million to the province’s GDP over four years.

To support the creation of these jobs, CNL is eligible for an investment of $1.075 million from Opportunities NB, which is a Crown corporation that seeks to attract and support opportunities to grow the economy and create jobs. It provides support services for businesses across the province.

The investment includes $575,000 in payroll rebates, which are performance-based and disbursed annually to a company only when it has created and maintained the jobs during the year of the claim. The company must provide proof of salary levels and employment. The remaining $500,000 is a non-repayable contribution to support capital expenditures to establish the new facility.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, a nuclear science and technology company, operates more than 50 facilities and laboratories dedicated to nuclear science, technology and related applications.

MEDIA CONTACT(S):

Eric Lewis, communications, Opportunities NB, 506-866-6938.

Patrick Quinn, director of corporate communications, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, 1-866-886-2325.