The Society of United Professionals endorsed a Statement of Principles on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of the ongoing effort to make Canada a leader in the next generation of zero-emission nuclear energy generation. Endorsers include workers and companies in the nuclear supply chain, as well as environmental and other civil society organizations working towards Canada’s zero-emissions future.
By building on Canada’s 75-year history of safe development and use of nuclear energy, SMRs have the potential to grow Canadians’ economic prosperity. As the Statement of Principles says, “this could mean anchoring jobs, intellectual property and supply chains here, in a global market estimated to be valued at over $150B by 2040.”
In endorsing the Statement of Principles, the Society joins in commitment to:
- Act together and within our jurisdictions and areas of authority to support the development and deployment of various SMR technologies in Canada, with first units in operation by the late 2020s;
- Unite as “Team Canada” to engage international partners to seize export opportunities, influence international standards and secure investments in Canada’s future;
- Seek out opportunities to integrate SMRs with other clean energy sources, storage technologies and applications to accelerate Canada’s low-carbon future;
- Pursue opportunities to minimize nuclear waste and potentially reuse nuclear fuel, complementing Canada’s existing practices for safe, long-term management of radioactive waste;
- Strengthen diversity and representation in the nuclear industry through greater inclusion of women, minority communities and youth, and exploring meaningful and long-term economic partnership opportunities with Indigenous, rural, remote and northern communities;
- Leverage Canada’s extensive capabilities in academia, research, engineering and manufacturing in the deployment and export of SMRs; and
- Support complementary activities outlined in each partner’s chapter.
The full Statement of Principles is available at https://smractionplan.ca/content/statement-principles and supports Canada’s SMR Action Plan.
