On November 26, 2025, Society President Rebecca Caron was present for the Ontario government’s announcement that it has approved Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to refurbish four CANDU reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. This approval represents a significant milestone in supporting Ontario’s long-term energy strategy and is a milestone that is both historic for Ontario and deeply meaningful for all of our members who have worked at Pickering or supported it throughout our careers.
For the Society of United Professionals, this announcement represents the culmination of more than a decade of advocacy. We have been unwavering in our message: Pickering is safe, viable, and essential to meeting Ontario’s growing electricity needs. Today’s decision validates the professionalism, expertise, and dedication that each of you brings to this fleet every single day.
We’ve always known that Pickering could and should continue to deliver for Ontario. Now the province has affirmed that too. The government’s press release highlights exactly what we have long said:
- Ontario cannot meet its future energy needs without nuclear power.
- Pickering has proven performance and world-class expertise behind it.
- A major refurbishment will support thousands of high-skilled jobs and strengthen the province’s clean-energy system for decades to come.
This isn’t just an investment in infrastructure—it is an investment in you—Society members. It protects the jobs of the professionals we represent today and creates opportunities for the next generation of nuclear engineers, scientists, and skilled workers to build long, rewarding, unionized careers here in Ontario.
Subject to final licensing approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, OPG plans to begin the execution phase of the Pickering “B” refurbishment, covering units five through eight - in early 2027. The refurbishment work is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s. Once complete, the station will be capable of producing up to 2,200 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 2.2 million homes and support Ontario’s growing energy needs.
The refurbishment is expected to generate approximately 30,500 jobs over the course of construction and sustain approximately 6,700 ongoing positions once the station returns to operation. Delivered by Society members, the project builds on the successful refurbishment experience at Darlington and includes approximately $100 million in contracts for Indigenous-owned businesses, providing direct economic benefits to host First Nations.
The Society would like to thank every member who has contributed to making this possible—through your exceptional work, your commitment to safety, and your dedication to Ontario’s nuclear future.
Rebecca gave her remarks on the day of the announcement:
Members can watch President Rebecca Caron's remarks here: https://www.youtube.com/live/oGtwwA2on8c?si=iDqVV2XaSYAW8yPp&t=982
"The Society of United Professionals welcomes today’s announcement. The refurbishment of Pickering B, along with the rest of Ontario’s existing CANDU fleet, is an essential piece of the province’s electrification and emissions reduction strategy. Not only does today’s announcement protect thousands of good union jobs today, but it also creates the groundwork for rewarding unionized careers for the next generation of nuclear professionals."
- Rebecca Caron
President, Society of United Professionals