Q&A with Minister Tim Hodgson on Canada’s Nuclear Future

Canada is entering a new era for nuclear energy. What do you see as the biggest opportunity for Canada to strengthen its position as a global leader? 

Canada has something very few countries can match: a world-class nuclear ecosystem that spans the entire value chain, from uranium mining and fuel production to reactor technology, research, engineering, construction and a highly skilled workforce. The opportunity before us is to turn those advantages into lasting economic and strategic leadership, and we are already showing the world that we can deliver. For example, the Darlington New Nuclear Project –  referred to the Major Projects Office last September by the Prime Minister – will be the first grid-scale SMR to be built in the G7. Once built, it will provide 3,700 jobs per year and be able to power 1.2 million homes annually, creating a model that other countries are watching closely and expertise that will position us as a global leader.  

Additionally, in Saskatchewan, new uranium mines are positioning Canada to meet rapidly growing global demand for nuclear fuel and strengthen the fuel supply chain security that our allies depend on. In Ontario, nuclear refurbishments have consistently been on time and on budget. 

We need to take opportunities like these and turn them into a long-term competitive advantage – and that is exactly what we are doing by creating Canada’s first-ever national Nuclear Energy Strategy. Our Strategy will enable new nuclear builds across Canada, secure our uranium and fuel supply chains, support the next generation of Canadian nuclear technologies, and ensure we maintain our position as a supplier and exporter of choice.  

Every reactor we build at home strengthens our supply chain, creates high-value jobs and develops the expertise that countries around the world are looking for. And every step we take to expand uranium production and fuel capabilities reinforces Canada’s role as a trusted energy partner. 

The global nuclear renaissance is happening now. Canada has the resources, the expertise and the technology to lead it, and we intend to. 

What role do you see nuclear playing in ensuring Canadians have access to affordable and secure energy? 

Access to abundant electricity is – now more than ever – fundamental to competitiveness, sustainability, energy security, and economic sovereignty, and nuclear energy will be essential to building an electricity system that is reliable, affordable and secure as Canada’s demand for power grows.  

Canada’s electricity demand is expected to roughly double by 2050, driven by electrification, industrial growth, and digital infrastructure. Keeping life affordable for Canadians will require a diverse electricity system that can deliver abundant, reliable power to households and businesses. Nuclear is an important part of that equation because it provides clean, around-the-clock power. It complements other renewables like wind and solar, and gives provinces another source of reliable electricity as they build bigger, stronger and more resilient grids – increasing energy security and reliability.  

Canada is also one of the few countries with a full, sovereign nuclear value chain, from world-class uranium resources and fuel production to reactor technology, a skilled workforce and a trusted regulator. That gives us a strategic advantage in an increasingly uncertain world. 

For me, nuclear is about energy security, economic security and Canadian sovereignty. It is about making sure we have the reliable power we need to build the economy of the future—and making sure Canadians are the ones who benefit from that opportunity.  

What outcomes do you hope Canada’s Nuclear Energy Strategy will achieve over the next five to ten years?

I want to see Canada strengthen its electricity sector and seize the opportunities created by the global nuclear renaissance. 

Over the next five to ten years, success means moving from strategy to execution: building multiple new nuclear projects, growing Canada’s uranium and fuel advantages, and creating lasting opportunities for Indigenous communities and the next generation of skilled workers. I also want to see Canada become the partner of choice for countries looking to build their nuclear future, so we are exporting not just our resources, but Canadian technology, expertise and know-how. 

Our Strategy sets an ambitious direction: enabling up to ten new large-scale reactors across Canada, with two under construction by 2035, while advancing SMRs and other technologies for different applications and regions.  

I also want to see the Canadian nuclear energy ecosystem – including research & development, radioisotopes, infrastructure, etc. – continue to expand and innovate to ensure the long-term viability of these investments in the sector, and make sure that Canada builds on its strengths. 

Ultimately, success means building big at home, attracting investment, strengthening our energy security and ensuring Canada’s nuclear leadership continues to grow for decades to come. 

What excites you most about Canada’s nuclear future? 

What excites me most is the scale of what Canada can build and the people who are going to build it.  

We are entering a new period of nation-building that is creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers, scientists, skilled tradespeople and Indigenous partners. Across the country, I have met young Canadians who want to take on big challenges and help build a stronger future, and the nuclear energy sector provides the perfect opportunity.  

We are talking about creating great careers, growing Canadian expertise and giving the next generation the opportunity to lead in one of the world’s most important sectors. Leveraging the federal government’s new Team Canada Strong program, we will work to double the size of our nuclear workforce to 180,000, in order to meet deployment needs. 

What gives me confidence is the passion, talent and ambition I see across Canada’s nuclear community. If we continue to invest in our people and think big about what Canada can achieve, our best days in nuclear energy are still ahead of us.