We sat down with Minister Wilkinson to discuss topics like Canada’s leadership towards clean energy.
Can you share how clean energy is creating new economic opportunities, especially in rural and northern communities that are currently reliant on traditional energy sources?
Clean energy is about more than reducing emissions and ensuring we give a healthy, liveable planet to our kids and grandkids—it’s about creating and seizing economic opportunities and making energy more affordable, especially in rural and northern communities. In many places, building new clean energy projects to meet our growing electricity demand, is making the most economic sense and delivering the most affordable power.
Many rural and northern communities face unique energy challenges, including high fuel costs, limited access to reliable power, and logistical difficulties with transporting diesel. Clean energy solutions like wind, solar, hydro, and energy storage can lower energy bills and generate greater energy independence for these communities. To make sure communities see these benefits, the Government of Canada has specific programs like the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC) initiative, which are delivering tailored solutions and funding projects that transition communities away from diesel. For instance, the Inuvik Wind Project in the Northwest Territories will reduce annual diesel consumption by over 2 million liters, providing cleaner, cheaper energy while generating local jobs during construction and operation. Solar energy projects, like those in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, are proving that renewables can work in more difficult and cold climates, cutting diesel use and lowering long-term energy costs.
The Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program is another critical tool supporting Indigenous communities in owning and operating clean energy projects, and thereby reaping the economic benefits they present. Indigenous partnerships have been instrumental in developing hydroelectric projects in northern Manitoba and solar farms in Ontario, and we want to make sure more communities reap the benefits of the clean economy.
The federal government is committed to ensuring rural and northern communities benefit from clean energy, not only by reducing reliance on diesel but by empowering them to become leaders in renewable energy development.
How can Canada become a leader in the global nuclear energy market, and what steps is the government taking to address public concerns about nuclear safety and waste management?
Canada is a world-class nuclear nation, and nuclear energy plays a pivotal role in the Canadian and global energy mix. The sector employs over 89,000 people in Canada, contributes 15 percent of our national electricity supply, and adds $17 billion to the economy every year. We have exported Canadian nuclear technology around the world, helping countries achieve energy security and avoiding over 30 million tonnes of pollution annually, and are the world’s second-largest miner of uranium, the primary fuel source for nuclear power. Our continued leadership in nuclear energy is one of the key reasons Canada has been an energy superpower for decades, and will continue to be for generations to come.
Today, we are leveraging this expertise to lead in the development of innovative technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which offer safe, reliable, and low-carbon energy solutions.
Projects like Ontario Power Generation’s work on the deployment of SMRs at the Darlington, Ontario site and partnerships in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Alberta demonstrate how Canada is positioning itself as a global hub for nuclear innovation. SMRs are particularly well-suited to providing energy for remote and industrial regions, opening up opportunities for cleaner power where traditional energy infrastructure is limited.
To address nuclear safety and the safe management of waste, Canada relies on the rigorous oversight of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, world-respected bodies that ensure the highest standards for safety, environmental protection, and emergency preparedness.
Canada’s commitment to safety, innovation, and sustainability ensures that our nuclear industry is not only a global example but a domestic asset that keeps energy bills low and provides jobs for Canadians.
How is Canada working to ensure that energy infrastructure investments, including those for renewable energy, nuclear energy, and energy storage, are future-proof and resilient to climate change impacts?
The federal government is actively working to ensure that energy infrastructure can withstand extreme weather events and changing environmental conditions, while maintaining reliable and affordable power for Canadians.
For instance, federal funding through programs like the Investing in Canada Plan supports projects that enhance grid stability and integrate renewable energy, and Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program co-funds projects that advance adaptation in the natural resource sectors and expand knowledge on the economics of adaptation.
In addition, the government supports energy storage technologies, such as battery systems and pumped hydro, which will ensure that renewable energy like wind and solar can power homes even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Similarly, investments in energy storage, such as grid-scale batteries in Alberta and Ontario, ensure that renewable energy like wind and solar can power homes even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
By prioritizing innovation, durability and resilience, Canada is building energy systems that can take on anything and keep the lights on.
How does the development of Canada’s critical mineral resources support the advancement of clean technologies, and what role do these minerals play in achieving Canada’s climate targets?
Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel are the building blocks of the technologies that are increasingly powering the world. From EV batteries to solar panels and wind turbines, these minerals are vital to meeting Canadian and global climate targets, and Canada’s vast deposits and mining expertise position us for not only a sustainable domestic supply, but also reduces reliance on imports from countries like China, which currently dominate global supply chains. In a world increasingly looking for energy and supply chain security, we also have the opportunity to become the global supplier of choice to our allies.
For example, in British Columbia, the government is supporting the development and operation of several copper, molybdenum, zinc, nickel and cobalt projects. These minerals will feed directly into Canadian manufacturing for EV batteries and renewable energy systems, strengthening our supply chains, creating and maintaining mining jobs, and ensuring we meet rising demand.
In your view, how can Canada’s leadership in critical minerals position the country as a global hub for clean technology innovation, and what steps are being taken to leverage this advantage?
Canada’s leadership in critical minerals is a cornerstone of our federal Critical Minerals Strategy, positioning us as a leader in clean technology innovation throughout the critical mineral value chain. For example, the establishment of the Battery Materials Park in Quebec demonstrates how Canada is developing end-to-end supply chains for electric vehicle batteries, from mining to manufacturing.
To leverage this advantage, the government is fostering partnerships with international allies to ensure secure, ethical, and sustainable critical mineral supplies. Agreements with the United States and European Union highlight Canada’s role as a trusted partner in clean energy technologies.
By integrating innovation ecosystems with our critical mineral resources, such as through partnerships between universities, industry, and Indigenous communities, Canada is creating the conditions for clean technology breakthroughs that will drive economic growth and global climate leadership.
