.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
Article content
SPEA says Canada risks losing its CANDU advantage without urgent investment in workforce development
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As artificial intelligence data centres drive unprecedented global demand for reliable, emissions-free electricity, Canada’s nuclear sector is experiencing a surge in contracts and refurbishment projects — but the country risks squandering its advantage if it fails to train and retain the engineers behind it.
Article content
Article content
That’s the warning from the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA – UNIFOR Local 7474), which represents the majority of Canada’s nuclear reactor design expertise.
Article content
Article content
AtkinsRéalis recently reported significant revenue growth in its nuclear division, fuelled by refurbishment projects, new large-scale reactor contracts and small modular reactor development across Ontario, Romania and North America.
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
“SPEA members are at the heart of Canada’s nuclear industry — designing, maintaining and advancing CANDU technology that is attracting renewed global attention,” said SPEA President Mark Chudak. “This is Canadian intellectual property supporting a 90,000-person supply chain and generating economic growth across the country.”
Article content
“Canada’s position in nuclear is genuinely unique — alongside the United States, France and Japan, very few countries in the world have developed and actively license their own reactor technology at this scale,” said Reza Ziaei, SPEA’s Scientists & Engineers Vice President. “That’s a strategic asset — and it belongs to Canadian workers and Canadian communities.”
Article content
But SPEA warns that without a deliberate strategy to recruit and develop the next generation of nuclear professionals, Canada’s engineering capacity could fall behind the pace of global demand.
Article content
Article content
“The Canadian nuclear renaissance cannot happen without the people who power it,” Chudak said. “As governments and companies invest billions into nuclear infrastructure, we need a parallel investment in the workforce — or we’ll be outsourcing the expertise that should belong to Canadians.”
Article content
About SPEA
The Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA – UNIFOR Local 7474) is a union representing engineers, scientists, technologists, skilled tradespersons, designers and other specialists who work for Candu Energy Inc. In November 2023, SPEA entered a trial affiliation with Unifor as Local 7474.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
English (US)