Question Period Note: Nuclear Energy/Small Modular Reactors

• Global energy and climate authorities see an important role for nuclear energy to meet Paris Agreement targets.
• The International Energy Agency has stated that without nuclear, it will cost an additional $1.6T to meet global climate targets.
• Canada is also a Tier-One nuclear nation and the second-largest uranium producer in the world. The industry contributes more than $6 billion annually to the economy and employs over 30,000 Canadians.
• Nuclear energy is an important part of Canada’s energy mix, providing 15% of our electricity.
• Canada sees Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a promising, innovative technology that can support the clean energy transformation.
• The federal government is working with provinces and territories to develop SMRs and other promising clean energy technologies.

Nuclear energy is a non-emitting source of electricity that both the International Energy Agency and UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change see as important in meeting Paris Agreement climate targets. Canada is one of a few “Tier 1” nations with a full-spectrum nuclear industry and our own nuclear reactor technology, CANDU. Growth in the sector is currently sustained by a $26 billion refurbishment of 10 nuclear reactors in Ontario, while Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a next-generation nuclear technology that promises to be smaller, safer, and cheaper than traditional nuclear power. A number of provinces, territories and their utilities are exploring opportunities to advance SMR projects in Canada.

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