SMRs in Canada: federal-provincial cooperation in pursuing net-zero emissions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Over the last few years, there has been growing interest in developing/deploying Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in many countries. This includes Canada which released a SMR roadmap (Fall 2018) and action plan (Fall 2020). At the provincial level, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick signed a MOU on SMRs in December 2019. Alberta later signed on. The role of federalism in the SMR case is fascinating from a number of political perspectives. It illustrates federal-provincial cooperation in the often-highly contested area of energy-environmental policy (i.e. interprovincial oil pipelines, carbon taxes, etc). For example, governments typically jealously guard their constitutional jurisdiction and political interests over energy and the environment. The fact that SMRs reveal cooperation between a Liberal federal government and four Conservative provincial governments is important. In addition, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta unsuccessfully sued Ottawa over the federal carbon tax that, like SMRs, is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector. This paper assesses the different motivations from the federal and key provincial governments to pursue SMRs. Through this process, this paper argues that the SMR case might provide a pathway for cooperation in energy-environment policy in Canada.