A well-known medical manufacturer in Kanata is currently in the process of surrendering its nuclear license after Canada’s nuclear regulator found it in violation of the license terms over a year ago.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) confirmed on Friday that Best Theratronics is in the process of transferring the nuclear material used in the production of cancer treatment devices. According to Andrew McAllister, director of the CNSC’s nuclear processing facilities division, Best Theratronics Limited has secured export licenses to ship its Cobalt 60 and Cesium 137 sealed sources.
Formerly a government agency that developed the world’s first cancer treatment machine, Best Theratronics has faced financial challenges since being acquired by overseas businessman Krishnan Suthanthiran in 2007. Suthanthiran reported significant financial losses since the acquisition, exacerbated by a prolonged labor dispute that lasted nearly 10 months as workers demanded better wages.
In response to the CNSC’s orders issued last November due to a lapsed financial guarantee, Suthanthiran failed to comply with the demand of making $1.8 million available for potential cleanup costs upon site decommissioning. He argued against the CNSC’s decision, claiming financial constraints prevented him from meeting the requirement.
Suthanthiran announced plans to surrender the nuclear license and transition the company’s focus away from activities involving nuclear materials. When questioned about the impact on Best Theratronics employees, Suthanthiran mentioned the relocation of operations to the USA and India, resulting in the loss of 200 high-tech jobs and cited the significant annual cost associated with the nuclear license.
The CNSC mandated Best Theratronics to provide monthly progress reports on the offloading of its nuclear material. Despite missing the December deadline for report submission, the company eventually submitted the report a few days later, attributing the delay to Suthanthiran’s unavailability.
Manny Subramanian, a company representative, explained to the CNSC that the delay in report submission was due to Suthanthiran’s absence while traveling. The upcoming deadline for Best Theratronics is Tuesday, by which they are expected to submit a preliminary plan for decommissioning their Kanata plant.