Framework or Favored Technology? Canada's Nuclear Strategy Faces Scrutiny
Canada's nuclear strategy has two distinct approaches: a framework for supporting domestic suppliers and a champion play favoring the CANDU heavy-water design.
The framework strategy identifies Canada's uranium fuel-cycle capabilities, proven technology, skilled workforce, and internationally respected regulator as advantages to be backed in export markets through vehicles like Export Development Canada.
The sector's own numbers suggest that this approach has driven growth: the nuclear workforce grew 17 percent between 2019 and 2024, with 89 percent of those jobs classified as high-skill. The industry contributed $22 billion to the economy during this period, largely due to refurbishment projects and renewed global demand.
The export side is where the light-water design could have a significant impact: more than 30 AP1000 units are underway or under consideration worldwide, generating roughly 4,000 Canadian jobs and about $1 billion in domestic GDP for each unit built abroad. This puts the potential export opportunity in the neighborhood of $30 billion.