How Canada’s Next Wave of Nuclear Projects Will Supercharge the Economy

How Canada’s Next Wave of Nuclear Projects Will Supercharge the Economy

RECENT POSTS

Ontario built nuclear supports Canadian jobs and underpins the economy

Ontario is on the cusp of one of the most important electricity build-outs in its history. A new generation of nuclear projects is moving from idea to reality, and the numbers tell a powerful story: tens of thousands of good jobs, hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity, and the reliable electricity Canada needs to power millions of homes and fuel growth.

Nuclear power – like oil, natural gas, and other forms of energy – is quickly becoming one of Canada’s most important tools for building long-term prosperity. Below, we take a look at several new nuclear projects that will have a combined long-term economic impact of roughly half a trillion dollars for Canadians. Also see:

Canadian nuclear electricity billboard - 3

Bruce C Project: $238 Billion in GDP Impact

The proposed Bruce C project on Lake Huron is a 4,800 megawatt (MW) development that is projected to add $238 billion to Canada’s economy over its 80-year lifespan, with more than $217 billion of that in Ontario [1]. During site preparation and construction, Bruce C is expected to support 18,900 jobs across Canada, including 15,900 in Ontario. Once operational, it would continue to sustain 6,700 jobs nationally, with 5,900 of those in the province [1].

This nuclear project, like the others on this list, represents decades of stable, high-quality employment and local business opportunity anchored in a long-lived asset that keeps delivering value for Canadian communities year after year.

Canada’s electricity demand is projected to rise as much as three times by 2050 [2], and projects like Bruce C can provide the reliable, baseload power Canadian families, businesses, and industry need.

Darlington SMRs: $38.5 Billion in GDP Impact

At Darlington, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is building the G7’s first grid-scale small modular nuclear reactor (SMR), with plans for four 300 MWe units totalling 1,200 MW. This fleet has enough juice to power 1.2 million homes while serving as a new pillar of industrial growth.

Deploying and operating these four SMRs at the Darlington Nuclear Site is expected to boost Canadian GDP by about $38.5 billion over 65 years, including $35.1 billion in Ontario [3]. The project is expected to support 18,000 jobs during the construction phase and, on average, 3,700 jobs per year over 65 years of operation [4].

As the pioneer SMR project in the G7, this project represents advancing Canada’s already world-class nuclear supply chain expertise, skilled trades careers in every corner of the province, and a technology platform that can be exported across provincial lines and also abroad. Similar SMR projects are already being explored by Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick.

Pickering Refurbishment: $41.6 Billion in GDP Impact

At the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, a massive refurbishment of Units 5–8 will secure an additional 2,200 MW of reliable power for Canadians for at least 30 more years, enough electricity to supplement the needs of 2.2 million homes. It is located near the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where demand is surging [5].

Over its lifespan, the project is expected to increase Ontario’s GDP by about $38.2 billion, including $17 billion during the refurbishment phase, with a total national GDP impact of $41.6 billion [5]. On the jobs front, Pickering will sustain around 7,500 jobs per year across Canada, including a remarkable 30,500 jobs annually during the refurbishment period. Between 85% and 90% of all spending is expected to stay in Ontario, strengthening local businesses and communities [6].

This is what real value-added development looks like: using Canadian expertise to modernize Canadian assets, with Canadian workers and suppliers capturing almost all of the economic benefits.

Wesleyville Project: $235 Billion in GDP Impact

The Wesleyville Nuclear Project near Port Hope has significant potential and, if built, will supplement Canada’s growing electricity needs for decades to come. A massive reactor with 10,000 MW of generating capacity – making it the largest in the world – has been proposed, and is expected to support about 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including roughly 1,700 good-paying jobs in Port Hope itself. Over its lifespan, the development is estimated to contribute $235 billion to Ontario’s GDP.

Such a large-scale project is transformative. For the province, it is another crucial step toward building what has been called the “world’s largest nuclear station” – an electricity powerhouse capable of powering millions of homes and supporting a growing industrial base.

Leaning Into Our Nuclear Electricity Advantage

Nuclear Electricity Can landing page banner-01

Canada has a choice: drift into power shortages and missed economic opportunities, or lean into our proven nuclear advantage and build the energy system that a modern, prosperous nation requires.

Today, Canada’s nuclear industry employs 89,000 people, adds $22 billion in annual economic activity, and provides 15% of the nation’s electricity supply [7].  Adding new reactors can help create even more good-paying, long-term jobs in the sector and support much-needed economic development, powering Canada’s future for decades to come.

Bruce C, Darlington SMRs, the Pickering refurbishment, Wesleyville, and other potential projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan are a bold economic strategy. They will keep the lights on, keep people working, and keep investment flowing into our communities for generations.

If we want a future where young Canadians can find good careers at home, where businesses can expand with confidence, and where our innovation goals are met without sacrificing prosperity, then backing these nuclear projects is not just sensible policy – it is essential nation-building at work.

SOURCES:

1 - https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/bruce-c-project-would-boost-gdp-by-cad238-billion

2 - https://cna.ca/2025/09/15/canada-faces-unprecedented-electricity-demand-growth-nuclear-energy-critical-to-meeting-2050-needs/

3 – https://www.opg.com/projects-services/projects/nuclear/smr/darlington-smr/

4 – https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1006638/ontario-investing-1-billion-to-build-small-modular-reactors-at-darlington

5 – https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1006772/ontario-greenlights-pickering-nuclear-generating-station-refurbishment-to-create-nearly-37000-jobs

6 - https://www.opg.com/news-resources/newsroom/our-stories/story/opg-set-to-refurbish-pickering-nuclear-to-secure-decades-more-reliable-low-carbon-power-for-ontario/

7 - https://www.energyalberta.com/project