At the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE), we believe that engineering must be at the heart of decisions about Canada’s energy future. That’s why we’ve made a formal submission in response to the Government of Canada’s recent investment in modernizing CANDU nuclear technology through the MONARK reactor initiative, a step we see as both strategic and essential for long-term energy resilience.
The modernization of CANDU technology represents more than an energy decision, it’s a nation-building investment. CANDU reactors are a Canadian innovation, supported by a robust domestic supply chain and capable of generating clean, reliable power. Currently, Ontario uses imported Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that rely on foreign intellectual property and non-domestic fuel. Oppositely, CANDU technology is homegrown and built for export.
This distinction matters, especially in light of growing U.S. trade restrictions and tariff policies. Strengthening Canada’s energy independence while promoting our own technological expertise is good for the economy and positions us as a global leader in nuclear innovation.
In our submission, we emphasized that modernization must go hand-in-hand with increased energy efficiency. Currently, most nuclear reactors convert 30% to 35% of the thermal energy they generate into electricity. The remaining heat (roughly two-thirds) is discharged into nearby bodies of water, including Lake Ontario and Lake Huron. That’s a massive amount of usable energy being lost.
We’re urging policymakers to integrate Combined Heat and Power (CHP) design principles into future reactor development. By harnessing this waste heat for district heating or industrial applications, we can:
- Improve overall efficiency
- Reduce emissions
- Support economic growth
- Make better use of public investments in energy infrastructure
To fully realize the benefits of the MONARK initiative and ensure that Canada leads in clean energy innovation, OSPE is calling on the federal government to:
- Incorporate design standards that capture and use waste thermal energy
- Streamline regulatory processes to avoid unnecessary project delays
- Expand research and development funding to keep Canada on the cutting edge of nuclear technology
- Strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign technologies
We’re proud to see Canada investing in nuclear innovation, and OSPE will continue to be a strong advocate for engineering-driven, sustainable energy solutions. This submission reflects our commitment to ensuring that public policy decisions are informed by technical expertise and long-term thinking.
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