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CANADIANS FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY (C4NE) URGES TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT TO PUT NUCLEAR AT CENTRE OF CANADIAN ENERGY TRANSITION

 

• Canadians for Nuclear Energy urge the Prime Minister, Minister Guilbeault, and Minister Wilkinson to champion Nuclear Energy as the 44th Parliament kicks off-

 

• In the wake of Canada reaffirming its climate obligations at COP26 in Glasgow, and the tragic floods in B.C., nuclear advocates implore the Federal Government to pursue immediate evidence-based climate mitigation & adaptation measures using proven technology-

 

• The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have identified four principal decarbonization pathways for limiting global warming to 1.5°C, all require an expansion of Nuclear Energy, representing a scientific consensus- 

 

For Immediate Release

 

OTTAWA, ON - November 22, 2021. Ahead of the Speech from the Throne and the opening of Canada’s 44th Parliament, Canadians for Nuclear Energy (C4NE) are today laying out their expectations for the upcoming legislative session. 

 

Canadians for Nuclear Energy (C4NE) believe if there was ever a time for Canada to renew its commitment to its successful CANDU technology and its pursuit of SMRs, it is now with the issue of electrification - and the scale of new generation required to enable it - placing North American EV’s (electric vehicles) at the centre of the policy conversation in Ottawa, Washington, D.C. and globally. 

 

“Beyond decarbonizing our current electricity production, getting to net-zero will require the rapid electrification of transportation, heating and industry,” said Dr. Chris Keefer, Emergency Physician and President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy (C4NE). 

 

“This will necessitate the doubling or tripling of our grid capacity. For Canada to have an ultra-reliable emissions-free grid, up to the task of decarbonization and electrification, the Trudeau government will need more large CANDU reactors on top of the SMRs they’ve already committed to,” Dr. Keefer added.

 

Recently, the United Nations (UN) issued a red alert on climate saying ‘a dramatic transformation of the global energy system is required.’ This is why Environment and Climate Change Minister Guilbeault’s evasive responses to questions about nuclear energy at COP26 are so alarming. In contrast, Former Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan stated on numerous occasions that ‘We have not seen a model where we can get to net-zero emissions by 2050 without nuclear.’ 

 

“With the unprecedented B.C. flooding disaster occupying the minds of all Canadians as the latest example of the Climate Emergency, we urge the Trudeau Government to use tomorrow’s Throne Speech to announce the implementation of rapid mitigation and adaptation measures,” said Dr. Keefer. “With Nuclear Energy firmly positioned at the centre of the country’s energy transition policy.”

 

Canadians for Nuclear Energy (C4NE) believes that a Canadian government that is unwilling to follow the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scientific consensus and support a healthy environment for Canadian nuclear to thrive represents an insurmountable obstacle to Canada meeting our emissions commitments. 

 

• Canada is already a leader in nuclear technology with low-cost nuclear power providing 60% of Ontario’s electricity - the backbone of the most populous province’s deeply decarbonized electricity system. 

 

• Publicly-owned CANDU power stations are underpinned by a 96% made-in-Canada supply chain. CANDU supports 76,000 highly skilled trades and STEM jobs which are the gold standard for a just transition for fossil fuel workers.  

 

• Unlike other clean energy alternatives, every dollar invested in nuclear stays in Canada, invigorating local economies and providing the basis for a prosperous and truly “Green Recovery.” 

 

• By exporting Canadian nuclear technology internationally, we can contribute to our economy while helping other countries to rapidly decarbonize.

 

• A movement has sprung up in Ontario to cancel the premature closure of the Pickering Nuclear Station. If Pickering is not refurbished, the plan is to replace its production by burning fossil fuels -- which will eliminate one third of Canada’s emissions reductions progress to date! 

 

“Nuclear energy is responsible for a significant part of our national emissions reductions since 2005, while also providing 90% of the power that successfully kicked coal off Ontario’s grid - an achievement recognized as North America’s single greatest GHG reduction to date,” concluded Dr. Keefer.

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