Tracy Primeau retires from Bruce Power, but her work in the community isn’t done yet

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On June 3, Tracy Primeau returned her TLD for the last time and drove off site with retirement on the horizon. After 31 years at Bruce Power, Primeau built a legacy that will remain a fixture here on site long after her departure. She’s the first woman to complete her Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) certification as an Authorized Nuclear Operator at Bruce A, and remains the only woman to ever work her way up from the shop floor to the role of Shift Manager.  It was an emotional day as Primeau led Bruce A for the last time as the duty Shift Manager, and it was filled with well wishes and a quiet walk around the station.  "I feel like I did it right, finishing up my career here in my favourite chair and although the pandemic puts a damper on a large celebration, I made sure I had the opportunity to talk to as many people as I could and will continue to over the summer months." Most of Primeau’s years of services were spent in the Bruce A Control Room working as an Authorized Nuclear Operator, Control Room Shift Supervisor and Shift Manager, although in recent years she has worked closely with online planning, led the Emergent Work Team and retires from the role of Department Manager, Operations Support. But more than that, she’s a role model to women, the Indigenous community, and anyone who’s met her and been exposed to her passion not only for nuclear, but for life, community and the people around her.

 

In addition to building an incredible career, Primeau spends her off hours volunteering for causes that are close to her heart. She’s the board chair of the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey, a board member with Women in Nuclear (WiN) Canada, serves in 10 an executive role with the Kincardine Bulldogs hockey club and sits on two Municipality of Kincardine Council committees — one as chair of the Community Fund giving back to non-profits and the other as the Energy Representative for the Community and Economic Development Committee. She was also a founding member of the Ontario Hydro Native Circle and a chair of the Bruce Power Native Circle for many years.

 

Over her three decades here on site, Primeau inspired countless people to strive to be their best selves in both their careers and personal lives and plans to continue her mission into retirement. Although she’s trading her Bruce A views of Lake Huron for a view from her boat and many waterways, she’s an active member of LinkedIn and encourages anyone looking for advice or mentorship to connect with her there. Primeau will remain a leader in the energy industry through WiN and the Canadian Nuclear Society (where she recently took on the role of second Vice-President) as well as in her community in Kincardine and in the broader communities she's proud to support, such as women in STEM and her Indigenous community.

 

As she said in her note to the Bruce A Operations Division, "It’s not the work but the people that are missed and you are my people."  "BRUCE POWER IS AN EXCITING PLACE TO WORK AND GROW, I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED TO ME AND LOOK FORWARD TO CHEERING ON THE YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN WHO WILL LEAD THE COMPANY GOING FORWARD, (AND NO, I'M NOT COMING BACK)."