Ontario invests $1.9M to map gaps and grow its nuclear supply chain and workforce

What’s happening

• The province is investing nearly $1.9 million through the Ontario Labour Market Partnerships program in a two-year initiative led by the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI).

Who it affects and where

• Workers, manufacturers, suppliers, educational and training institutions, Indigenous organizations, and municipalities across Ontario.

By the numbers (from the release)

• The provincial nuclear build-out is expected to support up to 150,000 workers and generate more than $800 billion in additional GDP.
• Ontario’s nuclear industry currently supports about 80,000 jobs and supplies roughly 50% of the province’s electricity.
• OCNI represents more than 250 companies.
• The study is timed ahead of major projects including Darlington and Bruce refurbishments, the Darlington grid-scale Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project, Wesleyville and Bruce C sites, and growth in medical isotope production.

Project scope and phases

• Phase 1: Create a comprehensive inventory and interactive map of Ontario’s nuclear supply chain, workforce capacity, and related industries.
• Phase 2: Identify critical workforce, manufacturing, engineering, and supply-chain gaps that could affect future projects.
• Phase 3: Produce recommendations to strengthen supplier capacity, increase Ontario content, expand workforce and training pathways, support Indigenous economic participation, increase regional opportunities, and improve supply-chain resilience.

Why it matters

• The study aims to prepare workers and businesses to compete for contracts on large nuclear projects, protect good-paying jobs, and increase domestic manufacturing and energy security amid external trade pressures referenced in the release.

Funding and partners

• The initiative is delivered by OCNI with engagement from industry, labour, Indigenous groups, municipalities, regional economic developers, schools, and training providers.
• The Ontario Labour Market Partnerships program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.