Can we truly say that Canada is at yet another nuclear crossroad? All signs point to yes. When Alberta launched its public engagement process on nuclear energy in late August, it marked a turning point. For decades, nuclear power has supplied reliable, carbon-free electricity in Ontario and New Brunswick. Nuclear energy without controversy has been the norm. Now, as Alberta joins the conversation, nuclear energy is taking its place at the centre of Canada’s energy future. The opportunity is clear: to build a truly pan-Canadian strategy that delivers clean, secure, and affordable power for generations to come, a strategy moreover with public support.
The debate now centres on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). SMRs bring new flexibility to Canada’s nuclear story, with designs that are smaller, scalable, and able to serve diverse communities and industries. They can be deployed in northern and remote regions, near industrial sites, or as part of clean grids where renewables alone cannot meet demand. SMRs are not just an idea on paper. They are advancing quickly, with Canada already in a position to become the first G7 country to operate one before the end of this decade.
The Ontario Power Generation—led Darlington New Nuclear Project is the first SMR under development in the G7. The federal government’s new Major Projects Office has referred Darlington SMR for review and identified it as a potential project of national interest because of its capacity to strengthen Canada’s energy security. This shows once again that nuclear energy is a cornerstone of meeting net-zero goals and securing Canada’s clean energy future.
Collaboration on all levels is key. Ontario’s minister of energy recently hosted provincial counterparts to advance nation-building priorities, including a tour at the Darlington to showcase Canada’s nuclear advantage first-hand. At the federal level, Canada will soon welcome G7 energy and environment ministers in Toronto to address energy security, supply chains, and emerging technology. Taken together, these efforts not only show real momentum; they also underline the need to press forward with urgency if Canada is to turn collaboration into lasting leadership.
The real test for SMRs will be less about technology than about financing, partnerships, and execution at scale. With the right strategy, Canada can set the global standard in SMRs, not only building the first but also leading the global fleet deployment. Yet the window for leadership is narrow. Canada risks losing ground if execution loses momentum while other countries accelerate. Delay is no longer an option.
Other nations are moving quickly. The United States and the United Kingdom have announced a “Golden Age of Nuclear” partnership, backed by billions in investment and a pledge to streamline licensing and share regulatory capacity. Many other countries are also reinvesting heavily in nuclear. Canada has the talent and the resources, but only decisive action will secure its leadership.
The opportunities extend well beyond electricity. SMRs can help decarbonize heavy industries, power remote communities, and support new growth sectors such as artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Linking SMRs with Canada’s critical minerals strategy offers another dimension: a “mine-to-megawatt” pathway that ties resource development directly to clean-power generation.
Alberta’s engagement process is well-timed. It coincides with a broader national reassessment of energy policy, and it forces a candid conversation: How do we balance affordability, security, and climate goals while maintaining economic competitiveness? The reality is that nuclear is one of the few tools that can deliver all three. But that outcome will only be realized if Canada approaches the challenge with urgency and coordination.
This week, the SMR Forum in Edmonton will bring together industry leaders from across Canada and abroad for two days of discussion on the future of SMRs. Alongside them, government and Indigenous leaders, regulators, academics, financiers, and other experts will take stock of progress and confront the challenges that remain.
This gathering reflects a broader truth: Canada’s nuclear future will not be decided in Ottawa alone. It will be shaped in provinces, Indigenous communities, boardrooms, and international partnerships. The Edmonton forum is one step in a longer process. It signals that Canada is ready to move from ambition to execution.
By working together in a truly pan-Canadian approach, we can secure Canada’s place as a clean energy superpower. That means delivering reliable, low-carbon power at home while demonstrating leadership abroad. The choice is ours.
