With one of the world's most comprehensive and detailed climate plans, a wealth of natural resources and a skilled workforce, Canada is establishing itself as a global supplier of choice for clean energy in a net-zero world. Governments worldwide are looking for reliable, affordable, non-emitting forms of energy, and it is in this context that like-minded nations must come together to ensure a future that is sustainable both economically and environmentally.
Over the past week, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, participated in and spoke at a number of events to highlight the opportunity for ongoing Canadian leadership in the nuclear sector:
- At the Canadian Nuclear Association's Nuclear Financing Summit, on October 20, the Minister spoke with industry about Canada's support for the deployment of nuclear technologies in Canada and abroad;
- The Minister, on October 25, took part in the announcement of a $970-million loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to develop Canada's first commercial small modular reactor (SMR), which is scheduled to begin power generation in 2028; and
- Today, the Minister concluded his participation in the International Atomic Energy Agency's International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century in Washington, D.C., where he stressed the importance of enhanced international partnerships to diversify and secure the global market for nuclear fuel, services and technologies. This included:
o Attended the plenary sessions and delivered Canada's National Statement;
o met with counterparts in the United States, including Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Secretary of Energy, and John Podesta, Climate Advisor for the Biden Administration;
o met with other international counterparts and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi; and
o met with nuclear industry leaders and participated in a roundtable on nuclear cooperation hosted by the Canadian Nuclear Association, alongside Ontario Minister Todd Smith, and featuring representatives from both the Canadian and American nuclear supply chain, as well as the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., nuclear technology developers and Canadian utilities.
For nearly 70 years, the Government of Canada has been promoting the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technologies around the world. Now, Canada's nuclear sector has a critical role to play in providing non-emitting electricity that is in increasingly high demand, as well as producing the medical isotopes needed for treatments such as radiation therapy and evaluating heart diseases.
The Minister will return to Canada to continue to work with provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, private industry, labour groups and environmental organizations to establish Canada as the global supplier of choice for clean energy in a net-zero world - and to ensure a prosperous and clean future for Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
