April 29, 2026 Ottawa, Ontario Natural Resources Canada
The world is changing rapidly, and increasingly Canadians understand that economic security requires energy sovereignty. That is why the Government of Canada is strengthening our energy sector and using every lever to unlock Canada's potential as an energy superpower, including supporting and advancing our nuclear energy leadership.
Today, at the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced that Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is developing a transformative new Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada, to be released by the end of 2026.
The Strategy will build on decades of made-in-Canada innovation, including in CANDU™ technology; abundant uranium resources; a first-class workforce; and a world‑leading safety regime.
It will focus on growing Canadian industry in order to achieve energy affordability and security at home while seizing the global opportunity of a global industry that is expected to grow by up to $200 billion per year by 2030. Working in partnership with provinces and territories, utilities, industry, Indigenous partners and labour, a targeted nuclear energy agenda will help Canada expand our grid, electrify our economy, create thousands of jobs, unlock trade diversification opportunities and secure our energy supplies at home.
The Strategy will be structured around four pillars:
- Enabling New Builds Across Canada;
- Being a Global Supplier and Exporter of Choice;
- Expanding Uranium Production and Nuclear Fuel Opportunities; and
- Developing New Canadian Nuclear Innovations (including fission and fusion).
Delivering on this Strategy means turning innovation into real‑world solutions for Canadians, particularly those living where energy security and affordability are fragile. That is why Minister Hodgson, on behalf of the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced that the Government of Canada, through the Department of National Defence (DND), is making an initial $40-million investment for 2026-2027 to assess the potential of a Canadian‑controlled microreactor that could provide heat and electricity to remote and northern DND and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) facilities and operations.
The underpinning of Canada's nuclear sector is science, research, technology and innovation. That is why the federal government has committed $2.2 billion over ten years in capital investments at the Chalk River Laboratories, Canada's national nuclear labs. This includes the new Advanced Materials Research Centre and other critical infrastructure across the campus. This funding will allow AECL to combine the capabilities of outdated facilities into a modern facility and laboratory research complex that can support Canada's continued nuclear energy leadership, including for CANDU technology; nuclear safety, security and forensics; small modular reactors; reactor fuel development; and supporting utilities with reactor life extension and reliability.
The world is changing fast, and the Government of Canada is focused on what we can control: delivering secure, affordable and clean electricity that powers homes and businesses and unlocks long-term economic growth. Our clear plan, with Canadian innovation at its core, will allow Canada to build the energy security and competitiveness the future demands.
