Implementation Strategies and Policy Recommendations from the 2025 SMR Canada Summit
Introduction
Canada stands at a critical energy crossroads, with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offering a strategic opportunity to address climate targets, meet growing electricity demands, and enhance energy security. The global push for clean energy, coupled with heightened concerns about supply security, has elevated nuclear power’s importance in Canada’s energy future.
Building on Canada’s distinguished 70-year nuclear legacy, SMRs represent the next generation of nuclear innovation. These smaller, scalable reactors promise to deliver zero-emission power for grid applications, industrial processes, and remote communities with enhanced safety features and reduced project risk.
The SMR Canada Summit 2025, held in Strathcona, Alberta, brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and Indigenous communities to identify practical, implementable solutions to accelerate SMR development. Participants addressed critical challenges across regulatory harmonization, economic viability, workforce readiness, and public engagement—developing concrete recommendations to advance Canada’s position in the global nuclear market.
This report distills the summit’s essential discussions and presents actionable insights organized into strategic priority areas. It provides decision-makers with a clear roadmap for policy development, investment decisions, and cross-sector collaboration required to realize the full potential of SMRs in Canada’s clean energy transition.
Leveraging Legacy to Build Canada’s Nuclear Advantage
The current landscape presents distinct regional opportunities for SMR deployment:
Western Canada offers compelling deployment potential, particularly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where energy-intensive industries require reliable power and process heat. These provinces’ established engineering workforce and industrial infrastructure create natural synergies for SMR integration into existing energy systems. Resource operations, currently dependent on carbon-intensive energy sources, present immediate opportunities for emissions reduction through SMR deployment.
Ontario continues to lead Canada’s nuclear sector with its established operational expertise and active SMR development at the Darlington site. The province’s experience in nuclear project delivery, operator training, and supply chain management provides valuable lessons for emerging nuclear provinces.
New Brunswick has positioned itself as a testbed for advanced reactor designs, with ARC Clean Energy and Moltex developing innovative SMR concepts that could address specialized market needs, including spent fuel recycling and grid flexibility.
Despite these advantages, Canada faces several structural challenges:
- Supply chain atrophy due to limited new nuclear construction in recent decades has eroded manufacturing capacity and specialized expertise.
- Regulatory frameworks designed primarily for large conventional reactors require modernization to accommodate SMRs’ unique characteristics while maintaining safety standards.
- Interprovincial coordination remains underdeveloped, with varying levels of nuclear readiness, regulatory capacity, and energy policy priorities across provinces.
- Financing mechanisms for capital-intensive, long-lifecycle projects need adaptation to attract sufficient investment for first-of-a-kind SMR deployments.
Addressing these challenges will be essential to fully capitalize on Canada’s nuclear heritage and secure a leadership position in the growing global SMR market, estimated to reach $300 billion by 2040.
Financing Future Pathways for SMR Deployment
The deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) presents a significant opportunity for Canada to lead in clean energy innovation, but realizing this potential requires overcoming substantial financial challenges.
High capital costs and long development timelines have historically deterred private investment in nuclear projects. To address this, innovative financing mechanisms that distribute risk across public and private sectors are essential. Power purchase agreements (PPAs) have emerged as a particularly effective tool in this context. By securing long-term, stable revenue from electricity off-takers, PPAs provide revenue certainty that enhances the bankability of SMR projects and reduces financing costs.
Equally important is the integration of robust carbon pricing frameworks. Without accurate valuation of the zero-emission benefits of nuclear energy, SMRs risk being disadvantaged in energy markets that favor intermittent renewables with short payback periods. A predictable and rising carbon price ensures that nuclear’s contribution to decarbonization is recognized and rewarded, thereby improving its competitive position and investment appeal.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are likely to be the cornerstone of early SMR deployment, particularly for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects that carry higher upfront risk. In Canada, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has taken a pivotal role, supporting early-stage investments in projects such as the Darlington BWRX-300. These partnerships are not only helping to de-risk technology development but also catalyzing the formation of supply chains and attracting private capital.
The economic rationale for SMRs becomes even stronger when considering their versatility. In addition to grid-scale electricity, SMRs can provide high-temperature process heat for industrial users, as well as sustainable, reliable power for energy-intensive sectors such as data centers. These applications broaden the customer base for SMRs and enable business models that combine multiple revenue streams, enhancing project viability.
Moreover, adopting a fleet approach to SMR deployment—standardizing designs and replicating projects across jurisdictions—can drive down costs through learning curves and economies of scale. One-off projects tend to suffer from higher per-unit costs and delayed timelines, whereas fleet deployment offers predictability and scalability.
Globally, SMRs are approaching a commercial inflection point. Between 2027 and 2030, deployment is expected in North America and Europe, including Canada’s Darlington site, Poland’s national program, and TVA’s Clinch River project.
The global market for SMRs is projected to reach $300 billion by 2040 and could contribute to a reduction of 15 gigatonnes of carbon emissions by 2050—approximately 25% of current annual global emissions. Canada’s leadership now can secure its place in a transformative global energy market.
Regulatory Modernization and Policy Alignment
Canada’s current nuclear regulatory system, while internationally respected for its rigor and safety, was designed primarily with large, conventional nuclear reactors in mind. As such, it is not fully suited to the distinct characteristics of small modular reactors (SMRs), which differ significantly in size, safety profile, and deployment model.
SMRs are intended to be factory-built, standardized, and potentially sited in remote or industrial locations, with passive safety features and simplified operations. To support timely deployment, Canadian regulations must evolve to adopt risk-informed and performance-based approaches that streamline approvals while maintaining Canada’s high safety standards. This regulatory modernization is essential to remove unnecessary barriers and provide clarity to project developers.
At the same time, provincial jurisdiction over energy policy creates complexity in SMR deployment across the country. Regulatory harmonization across provinces has emerged as a critical need. Similar provincial approaches to siting, environmental review, and safety compliance would reduce administrative duplication and enable faster deployment, especially for fleet-style rollouts of identical SMR units in multiple regions.
There is also significant potential in aligning Canada’s regulatory efforts with those of key international partners. In particular, enhanced cooperation with international nuclear regulatory regulators could streamline licensing for reactor designs intended for deployment across countries. Shared safety assessments, data exchange, and mutual recognition agreements would not only reduce development costs but also help Canadian developers access larger export markets. Canada’s active participation in international regulatory harmonization initiatives, including through the International Atomic Energy Agency, will be crucial in this regard.
Environmental assessment processes must also be recalibrated to accurately reflect the full lifecycle benefits of nuclear energy. Current frameworks often emphasize local risks without fully recognizing nuclear’s minimal land footprint, long operating life, and zero-carbon emissions. A more holistic evaluation approach is needed to compare nuclear fairly against fossil fuel-based and intermittent renewable alternatives.
Carbon policy frameworks must explicitly include nuclear as a clean energy source. Eligibility for clean energy tax credits, subsidies, and emissions reduction incentives is critical to ensure nuclear competes on a level playing field. Summit participants also highlighted the need for a comprehensive national nuclear strategy, grounded in clear policy commitments, is urgently needed to send the right signals to investors, communities, and global partners that Canada is committed to clean, scalable nuclear energy.
Technology Readiness and Innovation Opportunities From Design to Deployment
The landscape of advanced nuclear development is rapidly evolving, with Generation III+ technologies representing the most immediate pathway to deployment. Designs such as GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 and Westinghouse’s AP300 SMR are based on proven reactor technology, updated with enhanced safety features, simplified construction processes, and scalability for both utility-scale and industrial applications.
These designs are well-positioned to enter commercial operation before the end of the decade, with Canada’s Darlington SMR project and the U.S. Tennessee Valley Authority’s Clinch River site among the leading early deployments.
Looking further ahead, Generation IV designs offer expanded functionality that could transform the role of nuclear in a decarbonized energy system. Technologies such as GE Hitachi’s PRISM reactor, TerraPower’s traveling wave reactor, and NuScale’s modular reactor concepts promise greater fuel efficiency, higher temperature outputs suitable for industrial heat, and in some cases, the ability to consume spent nuclear fuel.
These attributes make Gen IV reactors particularly attractive for applications in hard-to-abate sectors like steel, chemicals, and hydrogen production.
Micro Modular Reactors (MMRs) are another emerging solution, particularly suited for off-grid industrial operations and remote communities currently dependent on costly and carbon-intensive diesel fuel. Compact and transportable, MMRs can provide both electricity and heat in regions where traditional infrastructure is limited or non-existent, offering a pathway to energy sovereignty and emissions reductions.
As nuclear integrates more deeply with renewable energy sources, addressing grid variability becomes critical. Flexible operation, advanced forecasting, and grid modernization are essential to ensuring reliability and efficiency in hybrid energy systems. Digital twin technologies are also proving transformative, enabling virtual replication of reactor systems for testing, optimization, and regulatory validation—reducing project risk and development time.
Simultaneously, advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing of reactor components, promise to lower costs and accelerate deployment by streamlining fabrication and improving quality control. These innovations support faster construction and broader standardization of SMR technologies.
The potential for high-temperature reactors to produce clean hydrogen positions nuclear as a cornerstone in the future hydrogen economy. Nuclear-produced hydrogen offers a low-emissions alternative for industrial feedstocks and seasonal energy storage, significantly expanding the role of nuclear in global decarbonization strategies. These technologies, combined with Canada’s established nuclear regulatory framework and critical mineral supply chain, place the country in a strong position to lead in the next generation of clean, flexible, and reliable nuclear energy.
Workforce Development and Knowledge Transfer
The summit highlighted a pressing challenge facing Canada’s nuclear future: a significant and growing skills gap across the sector.
As the country moves toward deploying next-generation nuclear technologies, the demand for skilled workers – from engineers and technicians to operators and regulators – is expected to rise dramatically. Meeting this demand will require a coordinated national effort to revitalize education and training pathways, ensuring a steady and diverse pipeline of talent.
Universities and colleges play a central role in this effort. Many nuclear engineering programs in Canada have seen declining enrollment or underinvestment in recent decades, reflecting a broader lull in the nuclear industry.
To reverse this trend, academic institutions must update and expand their offerings, aligning curricula with the needs of modern reactor designs, digital technologies, and integrated energy systems. Stronger partnerships between industry and academia will also be essential to provide students with real-world experience and direct pathways into the workforce.
An additional opportunity lies in tapping into the skilled labor force from adjacent sectors, particularly oil and gas. With many workers in Alberta and Saskatchewan facing uncertainty amid the energy transition, their expertise in project management, safety protocols, systems engineering, and large-scale industrial operations can be highly transferable to nuclear applications. Facilitating this transition will require targeted training and certification programs designed to bridge knowledge gaps quickly and effectively.
At the same time, addressing the underrepresentation of women in the nuclear sector must be a priority. Women make up only a fraction of the nuclear workforce, and systemic barriers continue to limit their entry and advancement. Targeted initiatives, such as scholarships, mentorship networks, and inclusive hiring practices, will be critical to expanding and diversifying the talent pool.
With a significant portion of Canada’s current nuclear workforce approaching retirement, there is an urgent need to ensure knowledge transfer to the next generation. Structured mentorship programs, digital documentation of institutional knowledge, and cross-generational project teams can help preserve and pass on critical expertise.
Establishing standardized training and certification frameworks across provinces would improve workforce mobility, allowing skilled professionals to move easily between projects and jurisdictions as demand grows.
Community Partnerships and Public Engagement
Transparent, fact-based communication strategies are essential to dispel persistent misconceptions about nuclear energy, particularly regarding safety, radiation, and long-term waste management. Many Canadians continue to associate nuclear with outdated stereotypes that do not reflect the technological advancements and rigorous safety protocols of modern reactors. Clear, accessible, and science-driven messaging must be prioritized to foster informed public discourse.
The summit emphasized that early and meaningful engagement with host communities is a non-negotiable prerequisite for successful nuclear project development. This means involving communities from the earliest stages of project planning—not simply presenting decisions once they have been made. Engagement must be rooted in listening, building trust, and demonstrating a long-term commitment to transparency and mutual benefit. Proactive community outreach can help identify local concerns, incorporate feedback into project design, and ensure that communities have ownership over the development process.
Partnerships with Indigenous communities in particular must be based on the principles of reconciliation, respect for sovereignty, and equitable participation in economic benefits. These communities must be engaged not just as stakeholders, but as partners – with a seat at the table and a share in the benefits. Indigenous equity ownership, co-development, and culturally responsive consultation are critical to setting a new standard for inclusive energy development in Canada.
Social license – the broad acceptance and ongoing approval of a project by local stakeholders – is increasingly recognized as a decisive factor in the success or failure of nuclear initiatives. Gaining and maintaining social license requires continual engagement, local investment, and demonstrable community benefits.
Public education efforts must also be significantly expanded to build a broader societal understanding of nuclear energy’s role in Canada’s clean energy transition. Schools, media platforms, and community forums can all serve as venues for education about nuclear science, environmental impacts, and climate relevance. Community benefit agreements offer one practical mechanism to ensure that local residents see tangible returns – such as job creation, infrastructure investment, or training programs – from hosting nuclear projects. When paired with meaningful engagement, these agreements can be a cornerstone of social trust and long-term project success.
National Opportunity, Regional Strength: Provincial Collaboration for SMR Success
Inter-provincial collaboration is emerging as a central pillar in Canada’s nuclear energy strategy, with coordinated efforts on regulatory frameworks, workforce development, and supply chain integration. While provinces retain jurisdiction over electricity systems, aligning key elements of nuclear development can help avoid duplication, reduce costs, and ensure consistency in safety and environmental standards.
With a strong base of engineering talent and world-class energy infrastructure, Alberta is well-positioned to become a leader in nuclear energy. SMRs could provide carbon-free power and heat for Alberta’s energy-intensive sectors such as oil sands extraction, petrochemicals, and hydrogen production.
Ontario’s long-established nuclear industry offers valuable lessons for other provinces entering the sector. With over five decades of operational experience, a mature regulatory environment, and a proven supply chain, Ontario provides a case study in successful nuclear deployment and operation. Its current SMR initiative at the Darlington site also serves as a model for regulatory innovation, project management, and public engagement strategies.
New Brunswick adds further value to Canada’s nuclear learning ecosystem through its demonstration of advanced SMR technologies. Projects such as those led by Moltex and ARC Clean Technology are among the first of their kind in North America. The early-stage insights from these efforts – spanning licensing, community engagement, and design validation – should be captured and shared widely across provinces to build institutional knowledge.
Saskatchewan’s position as one of the world’s largest uranium producers offers unique opportunities for vertically integrating the nuclear fuel cycle. Leveraging this resource could allow the province to move beyond raw material extraction and into enrichment, fabrication, and fuel recycling, creating new economic opportunities and supply chain resilience. Regional development strategies should actively prioritize nuclear supply chain investments to anchor skilled jobs, support SMEs, and build competitive industrial clusters that serve both domestic and global markets.
Prioritized Actions for SMR Advancement
As Canada accelerates efforts to develop and deploy small modular reactors (SMRs), a coordinated, time-phased strategy is essential to move from pilot projects to national impact and international leadership.
The SMR Canada Summit 2025 identified a series of near-term, medium-term, and long-term pathways that, if implemented systematically, will help overcome technical, financial, regulatory, and social barriers. Below are the key steps to be taken across different time horizons, each designed to build momentum toward a thriving Canadian nuclear ecosystem.
To establish harmonized regulatory frameworks across provinces in the next two years:
• Develop a shared federal-provincial regulatory guidance system to reduce duplication and streamline licensing across jurisdictions.
• Enable reciprocal recognition of SMR design approvals to allow standardized deployment without restarting regulatory reviews.
• Create joint provincial task forces to align safety standards, permitting timelines, and site evaluation criteria.
To launch coordinated workforce development initiatives in the next two years:
• Fund partnerships between universities, colleges, and industry to expand nuclear engineering and skilled trades training programs.
• Develop fast-track certification pathways for skilled workers transitioning from adjacent sectors like oil and gas.
• Create national scholarships and outreach campaigns to attract underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous youth.
To develop standardized financing models in the next 2-5 years:
• Establish a federal blueprint for public-private co-investment in SMRs that includes risk-sharing and revenue support mechanisms.
• Leverage Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and federal loan guarantees to enhance project bankability and attract private capital.
• Design contract templates and financial instruments that can be replicated across provinces to streamline project development.
To implement fleet procurement approaches in the next 2-5 years:
• Launch joint procurement initiatives between provinces to order multiple SMRs of the same design, reducing per-unit cost.
• Standardize design, construction, and licensing documentation to enable modular deployment and reduce timelines.
• Coordinate with suppliers to develop just-in-time manufacturing and logistics networks that support fleet delivery schedules.
To position Canada as a global leader in SMR exports in the next 5+ years:
• Support Canadian firms in securing international certifications and regulatory approvals for export-ready SMR designs.
• Use domestic demonstration projects as reference cases to promote Canadian technology and expertise abroad.
• Integrate nuclear exports into Canada’s broader trade strategy, targeting markets in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
To establish clear metrics and regular progress reviews:
• Define national performance indicators for deployment milestones, cost reductions, job creation, and emissions savings.
• Publish an annual SMR deployment progress report to track achievements and course-correct as needed.
• Create an independent oversight body to evaluate implementation effectiveness and maintain public and investor confidence.
Each of these pathways reflects the need for urgency, coordination, and long-term planning. Together, they provide a structured approach for Canada to capitalize on its nuclear heritage, regional strengths, and global demand for clean, reliable energy.
Canada’s Nuclear Moment: From Summit Insights to Market Leadership
The SMR Canada Summit 2025 brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the nuclear ecosystem. From regulatory modernization and workforce readiness to financing models and public engagement, the summit made clear that the path forward is ambitious but achievable.
What emerged most clearly was a shared understanding that success will depend on a new level of coordination—among federal and provincial governments, Indigenous and local communities, industry leaders, academic institutions, and the broader public.
This collaborative effort is not merely aspirational – it is essential. Canada’s nuclear opportunity spans far beyond electricity generation. It includes economic development in resource-rich regions, the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors through industrial heat and hydrogen production, and enhanced energy security through reliable, low-carbon power.
Realizing these benefits will require sustained effort, clear policy signals, and tangible investments, but the long-term payoff is substantial: a cleaner, more resilient energy system that supports national climate goals and positions Canada as a leader in global nuclear innovation.
What is needed now is urgent, coordinated action. Immediate implementation of the near-term priorities identified at the summit — harmonized regulation, workforce training, and supply chain mobilization — is essential not just to sustain momentum, but to ensure Canada captures its rightful share of the emerging global SMR market.
