Canada Eyes Expansion of Large-Scale Nuclear Reactors to Meet Energy Needs

By Paul Vieira

OTTAWA--Canada outlined on Monday a strategy to ramp up the construction of nuclear reactors across the country as officials look to expand power generation while capitalizing on its abundant reserve of high-grade uranium.

Officials said the aim is to build 10 new large-scale reactors within Canada--with at least two under construction by 2035. Federal officials also pledge to accelerate regulatory reviews, and to develop by early next year a new financing framework aimed at attracting capital from pension and sovereign-wealth funds to kickstart the nuclear-power expansion.

The strategy, unveiled by Canada's Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, provides some insight on how the country is hoping to attain its goal of doubling the capacity of Canada's electricity grid by 2050. This expansion is necessary, officials say, to meet demand from sectors such as rare-earths mining, artificial-intelligence data centers and advanced manufacturing.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has recused himself from the strategy's planning and development, federal officials said. Prior to entering politics last year, Carney was the chairman of Brookfield Asset Management. Brookfield in 2023 acquired a 51% interest in Westinghouse Electric, a nuclear-power company.

The nuclear strategy "sets out how we will strengthen energy affordability, security and sustainability at home and abroad by building big," Hodgson said in a statement. Developing energy projects has become a cornerstone policy initiative for the country's Liberal government, as it tries to capitalize on its reserves of oil, gas, metals and uranium to recharge an economy under strain from President Trump's tariff policy.

The nuclear strategy is ambitious but contains few concrete details on how to expand the use of nuclear reactors across the country. The federal government faces limits on its influence because under Canada's federal system, it is the provinces that have exclusive jurisdiction over electricity generation. Nearly all of the nuclear-power generation in Canada is focused in the country's most-populous province, Ontario. Nuclear energy accounts for 13% of the national electricity supply, but a bigger 55% share in Ontario.

Besides large-scale nuclear reactors, federal officials are also eyeing the deployment of small-modular reactors, which are assembled in factories and can produce enough energy for mid-sized urban regions. The western Canadian province of Saskatchewan has signaled enthusiasm for these smaller reactors, also known as SMRs. Proponents say the small-modular reactors offer a way to provide electricity to remote, northern indigenous communities, some of which are fueled by diesel.

Write to Paul Vieira at paul.vieira@wsj.com

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June 22, 2026 12:53 ET (16:53 GMT)