CANADIAN NUCLEAR ASSOCIATION | CONFERENCE REPORT


Above left: A lively tradeshow floor reveals the buzz around Canada’s nuclear sector as the industry looks to build on its strengths to reach new heights as a global nuclear leader Photo credit: CNA Above right: Engaging with indigenous communities is key to reaching the goals of Canada’s net zero ambitions Photo credit: CNA


provinces of Canada’s vast geography: the country’s most populous province, Ontario (with 13.6 million of Canada’s 37.8 million people and the country’s business epicentre), and in the smaller New Brunswick. Ontario has one of the cleanest airsheds and lowest-


carbon electricity grids, globally, thanks to its mix of nuclear (about 60%), hydro, renewables and some gas. From an economic standpoint, and as a foundation for growth, both provinces have the advantage of a fully integrated nuclear supply chain. These supply chains are currently well-employed and building expertise and bench strength through participation in multi-billion-dollar refurbishment projects at the multi-unit Darlington and Bruce Power nuclear stations. They’re also integrating advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, reaping vast efficiency gains in operations and reduced project costs. And they’re embedded deeply in the research, development and regulatory work in the scale-up for SMR deployment. Supporting the R&D are research labs and a network of


universities, including one (Ontario Tech University) where one of North America’s only dedicated nuclear engineering undergrad programmes is co-located with Canada’s first IAEA Collaborating Centre, an SMR research centre and the Brilliant Energy Institute. Canada also has three universities with research reactors: McMaster University, Royal Military College and L’École Polytechnique. McMaster has a nuclear pedigree that goes back more than 70 years. There’s lots to build on but the greatest opportunity to


take nuclear national currently lies in SMR deployment. It is supported by a federal Action Plan, a four-province (Ontario, New Brunswick, Alberta and Saskatchewan) commitment to deploy SMRs as part of their net-zero strategy, as well as growing industry collaboration across the four provinces. With some of Canada’s reactors having recently reached or about to reach the end of their operating life, another emerging area of activity is in decommissioning, including the first-of-a-kind CANDU decommissioning at Pickering Nuclear post-2025. This new phase of life-cycle work has drawn international expertise as Canada leans into established best practices. At the same time, a need for


novel decommissioning techniques to address the unique factors within Canada’s CANDU technology is stimulating investment in research and innovation that can be exported. Similarly, Canada’s waste management programme development has hit a new level of maturity, following more than a decade and a half of intense research, international collaboration and benchmarking, as well as deep community and Indigenous engagement. Yet, for all this forward motion, the conference was not


overly self-congratulatory. Rather, with lessons of the past firmly in mind, conference keynote speakers, panelists – as well as in the chatter of side meetings and receptions - an urgent work list was repeated as the table stakes for Canada to parlay its regional nuclear strength into a national and international clean energy strategy that could see it become a key global partner for other countries. The list includes technology, regulation and workforce


advancement to be sure, but foremost, it is about the industry’s relationship with the public including: National, not just regional, public literacy on nuclear’s


value within clean energy systems; Public trust in the industry’s ability to manage waste as a


strength of the technology, not as a problem looking for an answer; and Earned trust of operators in existing and greenfield


communities built on meaningful engagement and as part of a national reconciliation strategy with Indigenous peoples.


In summary, by building on its pre-existing nuclear


strength Canada has all the ingredients to be successful in its net-zero goals. It will require deep integration across jurisdictional boundaries; across energy technologies; and amongst diverse collaborators. But most of all, nuclear needs to win the hearts and minds of the millions of Canadians not yet familiar with nuclear as a low-carbon superpower, including its safeguards, and its economic value. That communication effort must be backed by performance that is unfailing at this pivotal moment in every part of the sector, at every interaction, and over the next steps too. As they said, “together for net zero.” ■


www.neimagazine.com | June 2022 | 33


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