Ontario Investing $1 Billion to Build Small Modular Reactors at Darlington

Stephen Lecce, MPP
Oct 22, 2025
4 min read

BOWMANVILLE — As part of its plan to protect Ontario and build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, the province is investing $1 billion through the Building Ontario Fund in the first small modular reactors (SMRs) in the G7 at Darlington Nuclear Station. Ontario’s SMRs will create 18,000 jobs during construction with 3,700 jobs during operation, while contributing $38.5 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over 65 years.

“With rising instability in the global economy, now is exactly the time to be building big, creating thousands of jobs, and investing in the Canadian nuclear supply chain,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, and MPP for King—Vaughan. “Ontario’s leading the largest nuclear expansion on the continent, anchored by the G7’s first SMR being built at Darlington. Our government secured a commitment to keep at least 80 per cent of the SMR construction in Ontario — supporting our workers, technology sector and economy.”

The province and federal government are making historic investments in this nation-building project, including a $1 billion provincial investment through the Building Ontario Fund and a $2 billion federal investment through the Canada Growth Fund, respectively. Once construction of the four SMRs is complete, they will produce 1,200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power the equivalent of 1.2 million homes.

“Today’s investment to support the first SMRs in the G7 is a down payment on Ontario’s nuclear energy future,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re protecting Ontario by supporting good-paying, long-term jobs for Ontario workers and building the energy infrastructure — including both SMRs and new, large-scale nuclear — needed to make Ontario an energy superpower.”

Construction on the first SMR began in May 2025, with the SMR expected to come online in 2030. Today’s funding will support the construction and operation of the first SMR with an innovative model to allow for additional private sector and Indigenous investment.

“The Darlington New Nuclear Project will create thousands of high-paying careers and power thousands of Ontario homes with clean energy,” said Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada. “This is a generational investment that will build lasting security, prosperity and opportunities. We’re building big things to build Canada Strong.”

The first-of-their-kind in the G7, the SMRs that make up the Darlington New Nuclear Project will inject $500 million annually into the Canadian supply chain. The construction, operation and maintenance of the four units will add $38.5 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next 65 years. The government has worked with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to ensure that 80 per cent of project spending goes to Ontario companies, including steel produced in Ontario, by Ontario steelworkers, and that construction and operations will protect workers and jobs by sustaining an estimated 3,700 highly skilled, good-paying jobs annually.

“As we navigate tariffs and global volatility, it’s never been more important to create a more competitive, more resilient and self-reliant province that can withstand whatever comes our way,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Through the Building Ontario Fund, we are investing in this nation-building project that will secure the clean, reliable energy our growing province needs while creating thousands of good-paying jobs for Ontario workers.”

In addition to the Darlington New Nuclear Project and refurbishments at the Darlington and Pickering nuclear generating stations and Bruce Power, Ontario is exploring multiple new nuclear energy generation projects to build for the future. This includes OPG’s Wesleyville site in Port Hope, which could host up to 10,000 MW of reliable, emissions-free power and conducting pre-development work with Bruce Power to site the first large-scale nuclear build in over three decades with up to 4,800 MW of new nuclear generation.

Quick Facts

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) recently approved OPG’s operating licence at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station through 2045 — the longest operating license ever issued by the CNSC. This decision underscores the world-class safety and operational excellence of OPG, allowing the station to continue the safe production of reliable, clean power and support its 2,500 workers.
Ontario has approved OPG’s plan to begin construction on the first of the four SMRs at the Darlington nuclear site.
The Building Ontario Fund (BOF) plays a critical role in catalyzing investment in high-impact, revenue-generating infrastructure projects in Ontario across five priority areas: energy, affordable housing, long-term care, transportation and municipal and community infrastructure. Focused on projects in the public interest and that advance economic participation for Indigenous partners, BOF is helping meet the province’s growing infrastructure needs and driving long-term economic growth.
Through the 2025 Budget, the Ontario government approved up to a further $5 billion in funding to BOF, ensuring it’s well positioned to continue delivering on its mandate and support high-impact projects that contribute to the province’s economic and social well-being.

Quotes

"I am proud to see the Clarington community playing a central role in Ontario’s landmark nuclear expansion. This project will deliver significant economic benefits locally and to the surrounding Durham Region, creating thousands of high-skilled, well-paying jobs and strengthening our local workforce. We are investing directly in our people, our industries and our future as a leader in clean energy innovation."

- Todd McCarthy

MPP, Durham

"Clarington is proud to be a leading nuclear host community. This milestone — backed by strong, meaningful partnerships across all levels of government — advances Canada’s global leadership in peaceful nuclear innovation, while generating jobs, expanding opportunity and driving sustainable progress nationwide and beyond."

- Adrian Foster

Mayor of Clarington

"This historic financing commitment marks a pivotal step forward for the Darlington New Nuclear Project and for Ontario and Canada’s clean energy future. Together with our partners, OPG will use the many lessons learned from our successful Darlington Refurbishment project, which remains ahead of schedule and on budget, to ensure we deliver the G7’s first grid-scale SMR, with the same efficiency and safety."

- Nicolle Butcher

President and CEO, Ontario Power Generation

"This is a watershed moment for Building Ontario Fund and demonstrates our catalytic role in financing large-scale infrastructure projects. The transaction opens new investment opportunities in the province’s energy sector and will boost competitiveness, drive job creation and support innovation across the industrial base."

- Michael Fedchyshyn

CEO, Building Ontario Fund