Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) say the federal and provincial investments announced last week for the Darlington small modular reactor (SMR) project mark a major step forward for Canada’s energy and construction sectors.
Funding was announced Monday at the Darlington site, where Ontario Power Generation plans to build four small modular reactors. The first unit is expected to supply clean electricity to about 300,000 homes.
The federal government will contribute $2 billion to the project, with another $1 billion from the Ontario government. The project is expected to create about 18,000 jobs during construction and support 3,700 positions annually over its 65-year lifespan.
CBTU executive director Sean Strickland said the project will provide steady, skilled-trades employment and help advance Canada’s nuclear expertise.
“This is a once-in-a-generation moment that will reshape Canada’s economic and energy landscape,” Strickland said in a statement.
The Darlington site is the first SMR project underway in a G7 country. CBTU says it hopes the upcoming federal budget on Nov. 4 will continue to support investment in skilled trades and clean energy development.
