Canada and the French Republic share common visions of safe and secure global economic and energy systems. As such, their respective governments (hereinafter, "the participants") have made the following statement:
1. The participants consider that enhancing collaboration amongst like-minded partners in the field of civil nuclear energy is more important than ever given the current global challenges we face. Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine and the increasing impacts of climate change have fundamentally altered the global energy landscape and accelerated the need for collaboration between like-minded allies.
2. Recalling that nuclear power provides affordable low carbon energy while contributing to the security of energy supply as a reliable and clean energy source:
· We the participants recognize the contribution of their respective operating or planned fleet of large nuclear power plants and encourage the deepening of the cooperation between the French and Canadian nuclear industries in this field.
· The participants recognize that advanced nuclear reactors (ANR) such as small modular reactors (SMR), present an opportunity to tackle the global challenges of meeting energy demand while reducing carbon emissions.
· Canada and the French Republic encourage the deepening of our cooperation on research and development, whose role is crucial for the support of new nuclear projects, either large nuclear reactors or ANRs and SMRs.
3. Recalling the longstanding participation of the French industry in the Canadian uranium mining industry and welcoming the improved business framework between Canada and the European Union provided by the Canada-European Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement in 2017, the participants affirm the importance of building robust nuclear energy and technology supply chains between countries with shared common values and encourage additional investments in the front end of the nuclear fuel supply chain to offset dependence on unreliable partners. In particular:
- The participants express their ambition to increase the depth and resilience of their respective domestic nuclear supply-chains, as well as to support countries interested in utilizing nuclear energy to meet their climate and energy security goals, through both new build projects and existing plant refurbishments.
- The participants echo efforts begun by Canada, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States during the G7 meeting in Sapporo, Japan in April 2023, to enhance an open dialogue, both bilaterally and alongside international partners, with a view to assist countries who are seeking to diversify their nuclear fuel supply chains, and more generally, to assist countries who would aim at diversifying their energy supplies.
4. Recalling that the safe and responsible long-term management of radioactive waste is an essential part of Canada and France's common vision, and is foundational to build trust and support for nuclear energy, the participants will continue to share their respective expertise and experience to make sure that both people and the environment are protected, currently and for the generations to come.
5. Considering their responsibility to ensure that the global adoption of nuclear technologies, including ANRs and SMRs, continues to be safe and secure and in accordance with non-proliferation obligations, the participants will encourage the exchange of experience and cooperation in research and development in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Canada and the French Republic will continue to support the use of nuclear power reactors and facilities to contribute to security of supply of radioisotopes for medical and industrial purposes.
6. Considering the challenges in terms of human resources raised by the upscaling of nuclear capacities in both countries, the participants will share best practices to address them. These exchanges will cover the initial and continuous training of nuclear energy and technology workers, as well as the necessary actions that should be taken to provide sufficient workforce to this sector.
7. To further deepen their bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy in the areas listed above, the participants recognize the need to consider pathways to facilitate full treaty relations, including with respect to both nuclear technology cooperation and third-party liability relations.
