Canada’s Nuclear Sector Off to a Strong Start in 2026 

2026 is shaping up to be an important year for Canada’s nuclear sector. Several major projects have reached meaningful milestones, reflecting steady progress after years of planning, regulatory preparation, and public engagement. 

A significant development to date is the completion of construction on the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station refurbishment by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) ahead of schedule and under budget. The project extends the operating life of four reactors and secures more than 3,500 megawatts of non-emitting electricity for decades to come. This achievement highlights the role that refurbishment plays in not only maintaining reliable electricity supply, but also sustaining thousands of high-paying jobs during the project and continued operation of the plant. 

Ontario’s nuclear sector continues to demonstrate strong project execution across multiple sites. In February, Bruce Power completed the construction phase of its Unit 3 Major Component Replacement (MCR) project, which remains on budget and ahead of schedule. The milestone marks another step forward in extending the operational life of Ontario’s nuclear fleet while maintaining disciplined cost and schedule performance. 

Nuclear refurbishment involves replacing major components inside existing reactors so they can continue operating safely for many more years. Rather than building new power plants from scratch, refurbishment allows provinces to extend the life of facilities that are already connected to the grid and supplying electricity. For Canada, this approach helps keep large volumes of clean, reliable power online while managing costs and timelines. 

Additionally, in Ontario, OPG submitted its Initial Project Description for the New Nuclear at Wesleyville project. This formally launches the federal impact assessment process, which will be conducted jointly by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. 

Shortly after its submission, OPG and the Municipality of Port Hope signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance collaboration on the potential development of new large-scale nuclear generation at the Wesleyville site. The agreement establishes a framework for ongoing community engagement, impact assessment coordination, and growth readiness planning as the multi-year regulatory process unfolds. If approved, Wesleyville could add up to 10 GW of new nuclear capacity to Ontario’s electricity system. Electricity demand continues to rise, and reliable, non-emitting baseload power will play an increasingly important role in meeting future needs. 

Indigenous consultation and public engagement are embedded from the outset, with early opportunities for input during the planning phase. This approach is intended to support long term trust and transparency as the project moves through regulatory review. 

2026 has also marked progress on long term nuclear stewardship. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization submitted the Initial Project Description for Canada’s proposed Deep Geological Repository for used nuclear fuel, moving the project into the formal regulatory decision making process. Canada has been working toward a long term solution for used fuel for many years. The repository is designed to isolate used fuel deep underground using a combination of engineered and natural barriers, keeping materials secure for thousands of years. Advancing this work represents an important milestone for Canada’s nuclear program. 

To highlight the economic impact of new nuclear development, Bruce Power released an independent analysis of the proposed Bruce C project, offering insight into what a new large scale nuclear build could deliver. The study found that the project could contribute up to $238 billion to Canada’s GDP over its lifetime, while creating approximately 18,900 jobs per year during the site preparation and construction phase and more than 10,100 jobs created or supported during the project’s lifespan. With a proposed capacity of roughly 4,800 megawatts, Bruce C would also strengthen long term energy security by adding large scale, reliable electricity to the system. Beyond the quantitative results, the analysis highlights the sustained value of nuclear investment in domestic manufacturing, skilled trades, and regional supply chains that support communities well beyond the construction phase. 

Momentum is not limited to Ontario. Alberta’s Nuclear Energy Engagement and Advisory Panel has been engaging with the public and Indigenous communities to explore whether nuclear energy could play a role in the province’s future energy mix. Alberta faces a distinct set of challenges, including emissions intensive industries, heavy industrial demand, and electricity needs that are difficult to meet with intermittent generation alone. The panel’s final report, expected to be delivered to the Minister of Affordability and Utilities by March 31, 2026, is likely to influence how the province evaluates nuclear energy going forward. 

Momentum is also building in Saskatchewan. SaskPower has begun the formal process to evaluate large nuclear technologies as part of its long term planning for a reliable, non-emitting electricity system. The evaluation will assess how large scale nuclear could support Saskatchewan’s goal of achieving net zero electricity by 2050, while maintaining grid reliability and affordability as demand grows. The process will include technical, economic, and environmental considerations, alongside engagement with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and the public. This step signals Saskatchewan’s recognition that firm, non-emitting generation options will be essential as coal is eventually phased out and electricity needs continue to rise. 

Taken together, these developments point to 2026 as a potential turning point for Canada’s nuclear sector. Existing nuclear assets are being successfully extended through refurbishment and life extension, regulatory processes are advancing for both new generation and waste management, and independent economic analysis is reinforcing the long term value of nuclear investment. Additionally, provinces beyond Ontario are actively examining how nuclear energy could support their future energy systems. 

The Canadian Nuclear Association and its members have been working toward this moment for many years. The progress seen so far in 2026 reflects sustained engagement with all levels of government and Indigenous communities, transparent public dialogue, and an evidence-based approach to policy and investment. While significant work remains ahead, the year is already demonstrating that nuclear energy is not only part of the conversation about Canada’s energy future, it is increasingly shaping that future in practical and measurable ways.