The Media Room

Backgrounder

Nuclear Energy in Canada – Overview

Nuclear Energy in Canada

  • Nuclear energy provides around 15 percent of Canada’s total electricity needs and over 50 percent of Ontario’s supply of electricity. 
  • Canada has 22 nuclear reactors all of which use Canadian designed and built CANDU technology – 20 in Ontario and one each in New Brunswick and Québec.  There are currently 18 reactors in commercial operation or being refurbished.  Two reactors in Ontario are shut down.
  • The Canadian nuclear industry is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy, currently generating around $6.6 billion per annum in economic activity. 
  • Its scope encompasses the entire nuclear energy fuel cycle from research and development, uranium mining, and fuel fabrication to nuclear reactor design, nuclear plant construction, maintenance, refurbishment and decommissioning, waste management and the production of medical isotopes. 
  • The industry consists of over 120 private sector companies and provides annual employment (direct and indirect) to over 30,000 Canadians.  Ontario is home to much of the industry. The province of Saskatchewan is the largest uranium producing region in the world, accounting for approximately 23 percent of global production.
  • In a joint statement issued by the G8 Energy Ministers following their May 24, 2009 meeting in Rome, the Ministers highlighted that nuclear power can diversify the energy mix, contribute to energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The G8 Ministers encouraged all countries engagement in constructive international collaboration and co-operation to ensure the highest possible technical standards including safety, cost-benefit analysis, research programs and frameworks, plant construction, operation, decommissioning and waste treatment.

Federal Roles and Responsibilities

  • In Canada, most aspects of nuclear energy fall under federal jurisdiction.  Federal responsibilities encompass research and development, the regulation of all nuclear materials and activities in Canada and the promotion of international cooperation on nuclear matters.  
  • The decision to invest in electric generation rests with the provinces.  It is up to the provinces, in concert with provincial energy organizations and power utilities, to determine whether or not new nuclear power plants should be built.
  • The federal government has established a comprehensive legislation framework which focuses on protecting health, safety, security and the environment.  Key legislation includes:
    • Nuclear Safety and Control Act (Regulation)
    • Nuclear Energy Act (Nuclear Research and Development)
    • Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (Waste)
    • Nuclear Liability Act (Liability)
  • In addition to its legislative role, the federal government has also funded nuclear research and development for over 50 years. Since the inception of AECL in 1952, the Government has invested over $8 billion in nuclear energy research and development.  The Government’s support has enabled Canada to develop its own nuclear power technology, the “CANDU” technology, other related technologies and has helped support the development of a Canadian nuclear industry.

The Role of Federal Departments and Agencies

  • A number of federal departments contribute to the development of Canada’s nuclear policies and programs. These include:
  • Natural Resources Canada is the lead department for the development and implementation of Canadian government policy on nuclear energy.  It provides advice on energy policy, as well as institutional, legislative and financial frameworks for the nuclear industry in Canada. 
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade promotes bilateral and multilateral nuclear cooperation and safety, and the implementation of key non-proliferation and disarmament agreements. It enhances security and well-being by promoting the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technologies and ensures compliance with international commitments such as the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
  • Health Canada plays a key role in monitoring the supply of medical isotopes in the health care system and protecting Canadians from the risk of radiation exposure. It is the lead federal department responsible for the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan, and it is a key department supporting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
  • Transport Canada’s role with respect to the nuclear sector is to promote public safety during the transportation of dangerous goods.
  • Industry Canada plays an important role in fostering the growth of Canadian businesses and in making Canada more competitive internationally.
  • The National Research Council (NRC), a leading national science agency which falls within the portfolio of Industry Canada, operates the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre at the Chalk River Laboratories which is used for advanced materials research.
  • In addition to these federal departments, two organizations which report through the Minister of Natural Resources to the Parliament of Canada play key roles in the Canadian nuclear energy program.
    • Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a Crown Corporation established in 1952.  Its mandate includes a public policy role and a commercial role. Its public policy role includes: conducting nuclear research and development, producing medical isotopes, and the management of legacy and historic nuclear wastes. Its commercial activities include the design, development, construction, servicing and refurbishment of nuclear reactors.
    • The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Canada’s nuclear regulator, is an independent agency of the Government of Canada.  The mission of the CNSC is to regulate the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

 

NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.nrcan.gc.ca/media/index-eng.php.