Federal Investment to Supercharge Saskatchewan's Nuclear Future

REGINA, SK – January 16, 2026 – The federal government is poised to inject significant new funding into Saskatchewan's burgeoning nuclear energy sector, a move set to accelerate the province's ambition to become a key player in Canada's clean energy transition. The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, is scheduled to make the official announcement on January 19 in Regina on behalf of Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).

While the exact dollar amount remains under wraps until Monday's event at the Innovation Saskatchewan R+T Park, the investment signals a strong federal endorsement for the province's nuclear power strategy, particularly its focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This financial boost is expected to have far-reaching implications for job creation, technological innovation, and the national push toward a net-zero future.

Saskatchewan's Growing Nuclear Ambitions

This federal support arrives as Saskatchewan is already well into a multi-year plan to integrate nuclear power into its energy grid. The provincial Crown utility, SaskPower, has identified SMRs as a critical technology to provide reliable, baseload power and meet future electricity demands in a low-carbon world. The utility's goal is to have SMRs operational by the mid-2030s, with a final investment decision slated for 2029, pending regulatory approvals.

SaskPower has already made significant strides, selecting GE Hitachi's BWRX-300 reactor as its preferred SMR technology. The utility is currently evaluating two potential regions for its first plant: the Estevan area in the south, known for its history with coal power, and the Elbow area surrounding Lake Diefenbaker.

The province's commitment is codified in its "Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy and Supply Plan," which envisions a future where nuclear power plays a central role. This strategy is not limited to large-scale grid power. The Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) is also pioneering the use of nuclear microreactors, selecting Westinghouse's eVinci model to potentially power remote northern communities and industrial sites, aiming for an operational unit by 2029. This initiative is backed by an $80 million provincial pledge for licensing pursuits. This multi-pronged approach underscores a deep-seated belief that Saskatchewan, a global leader in uranium mining, should also become a leader in harnessing that resource for clean energy at home.

A Linchpin in Canada's National Energy Strategy

The anticipated funding is not an isolated regional investment but a key piece of a larger national puzzle. It aligns directly with Canada's SMR Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy launched in 2020 to establish the country as a global leader in SMR development and deployment. The federal government views this technology as indispensable for meeting its ambitious climate targets, including a net-zero economy by 2050 and a carbon-neutral power grid by 2035.

SMRs are promoted for their ability to provide non-emitting, 24/7 power, making them suitable for replacing retiring coal plants, powering heavy industries, and reducing reliance on diesel in remote locations. This vision is shared across provincial lines. Saskatchewan is part of a multi-province Memorandum of Understanding, alongside Ontario, New Brunswick, and Alberta, to collaborate on advancing SMR technology.

Ontario is currently leading the charge, with construction underway on what is expected to be one of the world's first grid-scale SMRs at its Darlington nuclear site, backed by financing from the federal Canada Infrastructure Bank. The forthcoming investment in Saskatchewan is expected to build on this national momentum, reinforcing a cross-country approach to building a domestic nuclear supply chain and expertise.

The Economic and Environmental Stakes

The potential economic and environmental impacts of this nuclear expansion are massive. Proponents project a significant economic windfall for Saskatchewan and Canada. According to one study, the deployment of SMRs in the province could generate an estimated $8.8 billion in GDP, create thousands of high-skilled jobs, and contribute billions in wages and tax revenue over the lifespan of the facilities. During the construction phase alone, SMR development could support an average of over 7,000 jobs annually in Saskatchewan.

On the environmental front, nuclear power is presented as a powerful tool for decarbonization. SMRs produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Federal analysis suggests that widespread SMR adoption could reduce Canada's GHG emissions by 216 megatonnes between 2035 and 2050, helping to achieve net-zero goals more affordably.

A critical part of the environmental equation is the management of used nuclear fuel. Proponents point to Canada's robust, long-term strategy managed by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). The NWMO is in the process of selecting a site for a deep geological repository designed to safely contain and isolate all of Canada's used nuclear fuel, including any future waste from SMRs, for millennia.

A Contentious Path Forward

Despite the strong government and industry backing, the path to a nuclear-powered future is not without significant opposition. A coalition of environmental organizations, including Greenpeace Canada and the Canadian Environmental Law Association, has consistently criticized federal investments in SMRs, labeling them a "dirty, dangerous distraction."

Critics argue that SMRs are an unproven and costly technology that will not be available in time to address the urgent climate crisis. They contend that funds would be better spent on proven, cheaper, and faster-to-deploy renewable energy sources like wind and solar, combined with energy storage and efficiency measures. Concerns also persist regarding nuclear safety, the risk of accidents, and the unresolved challenge of long-term radioactive waste storage, despite the NWMO's ongoing process.

This opposition extends to the political arena, with the Bloc Québécois, NDP, and Green Party all having voiced disapproval of the federal SMR strategy. Furthermore, Indigenous perspectives are complex and varied. While organizations like the First Nations Power Authority of Saskatchewan are working to ensure Indigenous businesses can participate in the nuclear supply chain, the Assembly of First Nations passed a resolution in 2018 calling for an end to SMR funding, highlighting deep-seated concerns in many communities.

As Secretary of State Belanger prepares for Monday's announcement, the event represents more than a simple funding commitment. It marks a decisive step forward in a national debate over the future of energy in Canada. The investment will undoubtedly energize Saskatchewan's nuclear sector, but it will also intensify the scrutiny from those who believe the country is betting on a risky and expensive technological solution. The details revealed on Monday will set the stage for the next chapter in Saskatchewan's ambitious, and controversial, pursuit of a nuclear-powered future.