By all appearances, the Ford government’s latest nuclear announcement is a historic milestone. Ontario is moving ahead with plans to build Canada’s first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) — and not just one, but four — all situated at the Darlington site in Clarington. The Energy Minister is hailing it as a bold, “nation-building” project that will create 18,000 jobs, drive $38.5 billion into GDP over 65 years, and power over a million homes.
On paper, it sounds like a no-brainer. In reality, it’s a high-stakes bet — one that risks locking Ontario into expensive, U.S.-dependent technology and diverting resources away from faster, cheaper, and more scalable clean energy solutions.
Let’s start with the basics: SMRs are still largely unproven. Despite all the hype, not a single commercial SMR is in operation anywhere in the G7. The idea is that these reactors — smaller than traditional nuclear plants — are easier and quicker to build, with lower upfront costs. But that remains mostly theoretical. We’ve heard this before with new reactor designs, and time after time the industry has struggled with cost overruns, regulatory delays, and technical hurdles.
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) estimates the cost of the first reactor at $6.1 billion, with an additional $1 billion going toward preparatory studies. That’s already more expensive than many large-scale renewable projects. And while OPG insists the funds will come from debt and utility rates rather than direct government subsidies, Ontarians will inevitably be the ones footing the bill — through either higher energy costs or public debt.
Then there’s the issue of technology. OPG has selected GE Hitachi’s SMR design, which relies on enriched uranium and is based in the U.S. That means Ontario is tying a core piece of its energy future to American suppliers — during an era of escalating trade tensions and uncertain international supply chains. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner raised a valid point: why risk becoming dependent on enriched uranium imports from the U.S. when we have a wealth of cleaner, domestic options?
Let’s not forget the timeline either. The first SMR won’t be ready until the end of the decade. Meanwhile, electricity demand is expected to skyrocket by 75% by 2050. We need solutions now — not 10 or 20 years down the line.
Instead of doubling down on nuclear, the province could invest more aggressively in renewables like wind and solar, paired with battery storage and a smart grid. These technologies are scalable, deployable today, and increasingly cost-competitive. They also avoid the radioactive waste, long-term security risks, and massive decommissioning costs that come with nuclear.
Yes, nuclear power is low-carbon, and it does have a role to play in the transition to a cleaner grid. But it should be a last resort — not the centerpiece of our strategy.
Ontario’s SMR project is a bold move, no doubt. But bold isn’t always wise. As the world moves toward decentralized, nimble energy solutions, this feels more like a nostalgic throwback to 20th-century megaprojects than a forward-looking plan for 2050.
