Canada nuclear firms seek Ottawa financing -paper

OTTAWA, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and partner SNC-Lavalin Group (SNC.TO) want the Canadian government to provide billions of dollars in financing for their bid to build two nuclear reactors in the Canadian province of Ontario, a newspaper said on Thursday.

The Globe and Mail said Patrick Lamarre, the head of SNC-Lavalin's nuclear division, has written to Ottawa saying the Canadian firms are at a major disadvantage to French and U.S. companies, which have access to government-backed financing.

Ontario is seeking to buy two new reactors at a cost of at least C$6 billion ($5.7 billion). The Canadians are competing against France's Areva (CEPFi.PA) and U.S.-based Westinghouse, which is owned by Japan's Toshiba Corp (6502.T).

"We are potentially faced with a predatory financing situation," the Globe quoted Lamarre as writing to Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn.

"In order to ensure that (we) are competing on a level playing field with our competitors, you will understand that it is imperative that equivalent financing support for the Canadian bid be confirmed," he added.

Lunn told the Globe he was prepared to support a commercial proposal by the firms but gave no details.

AECL, SNC-Lavalin and Lunn's office did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

($1=$1.05 Canadian) (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Peter Galloway)