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Durham's Nuclear Sector Strategy

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Why did we create this strategy? 


1. To grow understanding of the nuclear sector in Durham. 

Community members, councillors, municipal staff, MPs and MPPs today and tomorrow are educated about the nuclear sector so that decision-making respects the residents of nuclear host communities. 

2. To attract innovation and strengthen the local economy. 

Durham Region is the Canadian Centre of Excellence for Energy Innovation. We want to attract more clean energy jobs to power Ontario and foster a world-leading nuclear education, research and development ecosystem. 

3. To protect and sustain our community. 

Durham is an exceptional place to live, learn,

Why did we create this strategy? 


1. To grow understanding of the nuclear sector in Durham. 

Community members, councillors, municipal staff, MPs and MPPs today and tomorrow are educated about the nuclear sector so that decision-making respects the residents of nuclear host communities. 

2. To attract innovation and strengthen the local economy. 

Durham Region is the Canadian Centre of Excellence for Energy Innovation. We want to attract more clean energy jobs to power Ontario and foster a world-leading nuclear education, research and development ecosystem. 

3. To protect and sustain our community. 

Durham is an exceptional place to live, learn, work and raise a family. We will ensure that our community continues to thrive throughout the lifecycle of nuclear generation in Durham.  

4. To become a leading municipality in the nuclear sector.  
We want to partner with local area municipalities, industry, and higher levels of government to become respected leaders in the development of nuclear policy, attract new investments, and help shape decisions that affect the Region. 


View the Engagement Summary Report for Durham Region's Nuclear Sector Strategy. 



An aerial photograph of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.


Quick Facts


  • There are three nuclear sites in Durham: Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, and Port Granby (Port Hope Area Initiative). 
  • Nuclear electricity has been generated in Durham since 1971.  
  • The nuclear sector is Durham’s largest employer (over 8,000 local jobs). 
  • The sector is growing. OPG recently opened the Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability in Pickering and is planning to build a new small modular reactor and relocate its headquarters to Clarington. 
  • Ontario Tech University offers Canada’s only undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering.  
  • About 34% of Ontario’s electricity is generated in Durham from emissions-free nuclear. 
  • OPG creates medical isotopes which are used to diagnose and treat health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. 
  • Used fuel is currently stored at Pickering and Darlington until the Nuclear Waste Management Organization constructs a deep geologic repository to store it long-term. 


Learn about Nuclear Generation in Durham.



Consultation has concluded

  • 2022 Nuclear Sector Strategy Annual Report

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    We are taking action to support a prosperous and sustainable community. Read Durham Region's Nuclear Sector Strategy 2022 Annual Report.

  • Watch the launch of Durham Region's Nuclear Sector Strategy

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    On February 16, 2022, we celebrated the launch of ‘Empowering the Community: Durham Region’s Nuclear Sector Strategy’ with a virtual event.

    We were joined by experts from the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries, Ontario Tech University, the Clarington Board of Trade and others to discuss the Region’s goals and planned actions to grow understanding, build prosperity, lead and develop partnerships, and protect and sustain our community.

    Watch the recording.

  • Empowering the community – Regional Council approves Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy

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    Whitby, Ontario – At a meeting of Regional Council on December 22, members approved Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy. Empowering the Community: Durham Region’s Nuclear Sector Strategy 2022-2032 will equip Durham Region to seize opportunities and take actions to support a prosperous and sustainable community.

    The newly approved strategy will play a vital role in helping the Region advance four of its strategic priorities including Environmental Sustainability, Community Vitality, Economic Prosperity and Service Excellence.

    Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will help the Region prepare for the changes ahead in the nuclear sector as major projects get underway and federal policy changes are implemented. By enabling the Region to navigate and capitalize on its unique position as the Clean Energy Capital of Canada, this strategy will play an important role in the Region meeting its goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.

    More information on Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will be available in the coming weeks. Stay up to date by visiting and subscribing to durham.ca/Nuclear.

    Quotes

    “Durham Region is a global centre of nuclear expertise, with a strong cluster of nuclear energy-supporting organizations and institutions. This strategy positions us very well to ensure we are prepared and proactive for all the changes and opportunities in the sector. We are excited to play a leadership role in the nuclear sector in Canada.”

    – John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Regional Municipality of Durham

    “Building Canada’s first on-grid small modular reactor at Darlington means tremendous economic opportunities in Clarington, in Durham and across Ontario and Canada. Clarington and Durham have long led the way in clean, safe nuclear power production, and Durham’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will ensure we continue to be a leader in this area while benefiting locally from the jobs and economic growth that accompany this innovative project.”

    – Adrian Foster, Mayor, Municipality of Clarington

    “For many years, Pickering Nuclear Generating Station has served Ontarians, providing clean, reliable power to the province. As it approaches the end of commercial operations, Pickering and the entire Region have an opportunity to become a global leader in nuclear research and innovation. The Region’s Nuclear Sector Strategy will help us identify new opportunities in this exciting and essential area.”

    – David Ryan, Mayor, City of Pickering

    “In our Climate Change Plan, OPG pledged to reach Net Zero as a company by 2040 and to act as a catalyst for decarbonization of the broader economy by 2050, and clean nuclear power is one of the tools that will help us achieve that goal. The $12.8 billion Darlington Refurbishment Project and our recent announcement to construct a small modular reactor at Darlington will reinforce Durham’s place as the Clean Energy Capital of Canada while attracting lasting, high-quality jobs to the Region. We are pleased Durham Region has made the nuclear sector a key priority through this strategy.”

    – Steve Gregoris, Vice President, Darlington Nuclear, Ontario Power Generation

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    For media inquiries, please contact Corporate Communications.

    View the original release.