Prime Minister Chretien Visits CLS in Saskatoon
All photos courtesy Office of Communications, University of Saskatchewan.
Canadian Light Source Project Leader Mark de Jong explains to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale how the retooled U of S Linear Accelerator will fire electrons into beamlines being constructed in the CLS Synchrotron. Chretien was on a one-day election-campaign swing through Saskatoon Nov. 16, and took an hour to tour the Synchrotron and praise the huge scientific project for its promise of helping to reverse the brain drain from Canada. Chretien's visit presented a logistical challenge to U of S and CLS staff, with his entourage of plainclothes security officers and more than 40 national and local reporters, complete with TV cameras and microphone booms.
The PM checks out CLS
While national news media were more interested in questioning Prime Minister Jean Chretien on his role in an alleged loan scandal, the PM appeared interested in many aspects of the $173.5-million Canadian Light Source (CLS) facility now under construction on campus.
| Please click on the thumbnail for an enlarged view of the photo. | |
 | Prime Minister Chretien receives a gift from U of S Pres. Peter MacKinnon and CLS Director Michael Bancroft after making a speech on the mezzanine level. |
 | Chretien greets CLS accelerator scientist Dr. Xiao Seng Shen next to the old U of S Linear Accelerator. |
 | The Prime Minister points to a model of a synchrotron magnet as Michael Bancroft explains some of the inner workings of a synchrotron. |
 | Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Prof. Emeritus Dr. Leon Katz cut the ribbon Nov. 16 officially naming the new Canadian Light Source boardroom after Dr. Katz. |
 | Prime Minister Chretien answers questions from the news media after his tour of the CLS synchrotron, as Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale watches. |
 | A throng of more than 40 national and local news media representatives followed the Prime Minister throughout his tour of the Canadian Light Source facility, and set up for a news conference at the end of his tour. |
 | Chretien fielded a number of questions, most concerning election issues. |
 | The Prime Minister gave a speech to gathered reporters and dignitaries on the mezzanine level of the new CLS synchrotron building following his tour of the facility, praising the project for helping to reverse the brain drain of scientists from Canada. |
 | Chretien stopped to shake hands and chat with a number of CLS staff and construction workers during his hour-long tour of the new building. |
Last modified: 2012-01-19 17:01:54