Canadians widely recognize the value of a stable power grid: households and industries need a growing base load energy system that can withstand the pressure of increasing electrification in the face of decarbonization, and nuclear power must be part of the equation. Without it, Canadians would struggle to keep the lights on or charge their electric cars and would need fossil fuels to keep the grid running. The importance of nuclear power was recognized and made clear at the 2025 Ontario NDP Convention, where labour unions, environmental activists, First Nations delegates, and the ONDP caucus came together to pass a modernized nuclear energy policy resolution. The resolution backed low emissions electricity, including hydro, renewables, and made-in-Canada nuclear, while reaffirming support for public ownership of energy. The Saskatchewan NDP is now looking to explore opportunities for building the province’s energy future, with a particular focus on advancements in nuclear energy to replace coal energy.
Canada is uniquely positioned to lead in this space. Canadians have the talent, the technology, the natural resources, and the proven track record in building and maintaining nuclear power electricity generation. Nuclear energy is Canada’s competitive advantage and a strategic, publicly owned asset. In the middle of the US trade war and rising energy insecurity, backing away from this critical technology would be a mistake when we should be reinforcing Canada’s energy sovereignty.
Ontario and Saskatchewan are at the heart of this opportunity. Ontario already produces 60% of its electricity from publicly-owned nuclear power plants. Saskatchewan, with one of the world’s largest uranium mining sectors, has a skilled workforce and the natural resources to support the expansion of Canadian nuclear power. According to Sask NDP leader Carla Beck, “We must develop both a nuclear supply chain and the labour force needed to make that opportunity real, to benefit people across this province.” The province ought to be fully integrated into the fuel cycle, undertaking the research, refinement and fuel fabrication. Together, Saskatchewan and Ontario form a powerful made-in-Canada energy supply chain that produces non-emitting and reliable electricity to meet the country’s energy needs.
The energy debate, however, often gets bogged down in the zero-sum choice between nuclear and renewable energy generation, such as wind and solar. It is not a zero-sum choice—we can expand Canada’s energy capacity with both. Until nuclear power is refurbished and new capacity is built, we need non-emitting renewables to help us grow in the interim. We can harness renewables with energy storage technologies to help build baseload power alongside nuclear capacity. We can do both. In Saskatchewan, where 80% of electricity is generated by fossil fuels, an energy mix of renewables and nuclear is needed to displace coal and gas that contribute to climate catastrophe. We need a diversified energy mix, and nuclear energy can ultimately replace fossil fuels like coal and gas as the base load.
In addition, Canada’s nuclear expertise goes beyond energy. Medical isotopes, for example, are produced at the Fedoruk Centre in Saskatchewan and inside Ontario’s publicly-owned CANDU nuclear reactors where they are harvested for use in cancer therapies and medical imaging. This is vital for our public health systems, and it has become an important export industry globally. Nuclear energy already powers Canadian homes as well as Canada’s trade, innovation, and healthcare innovation.
Nuclear energy is also a job creator. The nuclear supply chain supports skilled trades across the country and employs 89,000 workers, a 17% increase since 2019. In expanding Ontario’s nuclear fleet, a 4-unit CANDU generating station would add $90.4 billion to Canada’s GDP and sustain 20,000 jobs during the design and construction phase, and 3,500 jobs during the 75-year operations phase. The IESO estimates that Ontario needs to expand nuclear generating capacity to meet a projected 75% growth in electricity demand by 2050. That’s not just economic growth, that’s generational opportunity.
If Canada is serious about expansion, we will need to invest in training and recruitment of workers, as well as ensure our energy systems are publicly owned and operated. The Stephen Harper Conservative government caused major setbacks for nuclear energy in 2011, selling off CANDU reactor technology to SNC-Lavalin for a mere $15 million. Ontario and Saskatchewan NDPs have an opportunity to fix the mess made by conservative mismanagement. The prospect of growing the number of skilled, unionized workers should be a priority for Canada’s energy industry. Conservative governments would rather build nuclear at enormous expense and dividends to shareholders than invest in a public good for union jobs.
Of course, as we move forward on nuclear energy, we must do so responsibly. There are many concerns that will be taken seriously about nuclear safety, transparency, and the need for clear planning. However, these are not obstacles; they are reminders that we must advocate for greater economic democracy and that strategic investment must be paired with rigorous oversight. Independent safety reviews, transparent contracts, cost and public accountability are essential to ensure that nuclear expansion is effective and trusted. By addressing these concerns head-on, Canadians can build a nuclear future that is both resilient and responsible.
We also have the responsibility to build nuclear on real nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous Peoples across Canada, which must include free, prior and informed consent for energy infrastructure projects and the storage of spent nuclear fuel. This will require careful and respectful work and partnership, like the kind being undertaken right now with Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.
This is about more than just Canada’s energy needs; it is about Canadian climate action, security, safety and sovereignty, and reinforcing Canadian industries and supply-chains against US economic aggression. Canadians should embrace nuclear power to help build a resilient economy and create good union jobs, while respecting Indigenous rights and closing the gap on emissions. Nuclear power is Canada’s strength and it is time to support public nuclear power.
