Part of the cumbersome, and weighty omnibus budget bill winding its way through Parliament right now is the Nordion and Theratronics Divestiture Authorization Act. An omnibus budget bill like this one is a joke in itself, however this particular act will be the death blow to the medical isotopes industry in Canada. It will allow for this Canadian owned business, this former Crown Corporation includes AECL Chalk River Laboratories, to be sold to an American corporation and closed down. Canada which used to produce around 60% of the medical isotopes used for scans, x-rays, MRI's, and radiation treatment was an important player in that field and we have the ability to stay that way. If we stop producing them that will make the growing shortage world wide all the more apparent. It will mean hundreds of jobs lost in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke and many more across Canada. Chalk River was the first nuclear reactor in Canada, it survived a complete meltdown back in the 1950's without a single fatality, and the goods it produces have helped countless Canadians and people around the world. This is an industry which Canada excels in and we need to retain. For those of us who live in Renfrew-Nipissing Pembroke this petition is bound for the desk of Cheryl Gallant our MP who says she stands up for Chalk River yet is supporting this omnibus budget completely, without even a proposed ammendment. Since she won't stand up for us we need to stand up and defend this industry. This is part of our heritage, this is part of our country and should be protected. Let us be heard;