Canada’s Small Modular Reactor Action Plan

Small Modular Reactors: the next wave of nuclear innovation

Innovation in the nuclear sector plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and delivering good, middle-class jobs as Canada moves toward a low-carbon future.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could be the future of Canada’s nuclear industry, with the potential to provide non-emitting energy for a wide range of applications, from grid-scale electricity generation to use in heavy industry and remote communities.

Canada is well-positioned to become a global leader in the development and deployment of SMR technology. With over 60 years of science and technology innovation, a world-class regulator and a vibrant domestic supply chain, Canada's nuclear industry is poised to be a leader in an emerging global market estimated at $150 billion a year by 2040.

Canada’s SMR Roadmap

In 2018, NRCan brought together provincial and territorial governments, industry, utilities and other interested stakeholders for a 10-month, pan-Canadian conversation on Canada’s SMR opportunity.

This Roadmap involved extensive engagement with the industry and potential end users, an initial dialogue with Indigenous and northern communities and expert analysis. It contained over 50 recommendations in areas such as waste management, regulatory readiness and international engagement. It also highlighted the need for ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities, as well as civil society, northern and remote communities, and environmental organizations.

Turning the Roadmap into Action: Canada’s SMR Action Plan

The Government of Canada, together with our partners from across the country, launched Canada’s SMR Action Plan in December 2020.

The Action Plan outlines the progress and ongoing efforts across Canada to turn the SMR Roadmap into reality. It includes a Statement of Principles endorsed by all Action Plan participants, as well as individual chapters drafted by the partners outlining their plans and actions to seize the SMR opportunity for Canada.

All Canadian organizations, including governments, Indigenous groups, industry, utilities and civil society, are invited to join the Action Plan. For more information on the Action Plan, including templates for input, please contact: nrcan.nuclearenergy-energienucleaire.rncan@canada.ca

National Dialogue with Indigenous Communities on Nuclear Energy and Small Modular Reactors

Canada recognizes that genuine, meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples are a critical component for Canada to capture the SMR opportunity. In Canada’s SMR Action Plan, NRCan committed to ongoing and meaningful dialogue with Indigenous communities on the subject of SMRs.

Understanding and awareness about nuclear energy and the opportunity SMRs could present may not be well known amongst First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, particularly in Canada’s North, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

NRCan can help your community or organization understand the basics of nuclear energy, what SMRs are and what they could do, or connect you with other nuclear energy organizations from the SMR Action Plan to learn more. NRCan is also interested in listening to and learning from your communities as it considers policies or programs related to SMRs and nuclear energy.  

If your community or organization is interested in connecting with NRCan on this topic, please contact: nrcan.nuclearenergy-energienucleaire.rncan@canada.ca