Canada Sacks Nuclear Chief

The head of Canada's nuclear regulator has been sacked for refusing to reopen a nuclear reactor after it was shut for routine maintenance in November 2006.

Nuclear Safety Commission President Linda Keen believed that reopening the Chalk River plant in Ontario was risky as some safety back-up systems were not working.

Canada's Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn responded by saying the closure "does not meet the very high standard of conduct the government and Canadians expect from public officeholders".

The plant produces two-thirds of the world's medical isotopes used for medical imaging and diagnostic scans in hospitals.

By staff writer