February 24, 2023 – At the Canadian Nuclear Association’s annual conference, Natural Resources Canada launched the Enabling Small Modular Reactors Program to promote the safe commercial development of SMRs.

“As Canada advances toward a low-carbon economy, many forms of clean energy are needed to power the growing demand for clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. These include nuclear energy, which is non-emitting, consistent and safe,” says NRCan.

“The next generation of nuclear technologies—including small modular reactors—will play an important role as Canada faces growing energy demands, and is called upon to export our critical minerals and clean technologies to partners around the world.”

The new program will provide $29.6 million over four years, to:

• Develop supply chains for SMR manufacturing, and fuel supply and security, to support the crucial elements necessary for Canada’s SMR industry to thrive; and
• Fund research on safe SMR waste management solutions to ensure that SMRs, and the waste they generate, will be safe now and into the future.

“By investing in this next generation of nuclear technology, Canada can support its partners around the world in achieving their climate goals while exporting clean technologies and critical minerals like uranium to our global partners,” said Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the ministers of Natural Resources and Environment and Climate Change.

Eligible applicants could include private companies, utilities, provinces and territories, universities and Indigenous groups.