IBNS-CMEDIA/Ottawa: Canada on Monday unveiled a national nuclear energy strategy aimed at expanding reactor development, increasing uranium production and doubling the sector’s workforce by 2050 as the country seeks to meet rising electricity and clean energy goals.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced the strategy, which the government said would help attract private investment, strengthen domestic nuclear supply chains and support the deployment of new nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs).
The strategy is intended to complement Canada’s National Electricity Strategy and comes as governments worldwide look to nuclear power as a source of low-carbon electricity amid growing energy demand.
“Nuclear power is key to a cleaner, stronger, more sovereign economy,” Hodgson said in a statement.
The plan is built around four priorities said the government in a statement. Firstly, to enable new nuclear projects across Canada, expanding the country’s role as a global nuclear supplier.
Scondly to increase uranium production and fuel opportunities while supporting long-term waste management, and finally advancing nuclear innovation, including both fission and fusion technologies.
Canada currently generates about 13% of its electricity from 17 CANDU reactors operating in Ontario and New Brunswick.
The sector supports about 90,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes approximately C$22 billion annually to the economy, according to government figures.
The government said the strategy would support the development of an updated CANDU reactor design, strengthen Canada’s nuclear workforce and maintain domestic capabilities in reactor technology and fuel supply chains.
Officials also highlighted support for the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario, which is expected to become the first deployment of a small modular reactor among G7 countries.
The federal government and Ontario have previously committed up to C$3 billion through public investment funds to support the project.
Canada is also one of the world’s leading uranium producers, accounting for roughly 24% of global output in 2024. Most uranium production is concentrated in Saskatchewan, where the industry contributed about C$2.6 billion to the economy last year.
The government said it would work with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, universities, labour groups and industry stakeholders on implementing the strategy.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
