Neutrons Canada Welcomes Canada’s Nuclear Energy Strategy and Calls for Renewed Investment in National Research Infrastructure

The Strategy opens the door to rebuild a sovereign capability for world-class materials research with neutron beams

July 16, 2026 — Saskatoon, SK — Neutrons Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s new Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada, which recognizes nuclear energy as a strategic national asset supporting economic growth, energy security, technological leadership, and Canadian sovereignty. The strategy’s emphasis on innovation, workforce development, and future nuclear infrastructure creates an important opportunity to strengthen Canada’s nuclear research capabilities.

As Canada advances plans for new reactor projects, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), nuclear exports, and next-generation nuclear technologies, success will depend not only on energy infrastructure but also on the scientific infrastructure that enables innovation.

“The Government’s Nuclear Energy Strategy recognizes that innovation will be fundamental to Canada’s nuclear future,” said John Barrett, Chair of the Board of Directors of Neutrons Canada. “Whether the goal is developing advanced reactor technologies, extending the operating life of existing reactors, strengthening critical mineral supply chains, or enabling new clean-energy technologies, success ultimately depends on advances in materials. Neutron beams provide insights that cannot be obtained through any other research method.”

Barrett added: “Canada has an opportunity to think boldly about its future research infrastructure. Just as the country is seeking greater sovereignty in energy production and nuclear technology, it must also maintain sovereignty in the research capabilities that underpin those sectors. That includes neutron beam capabilities and, ultimately, a future Canadian neutron source to serve as a nation-building asset for researchers in industry, government and academia for decades to come.”

To this end, the Canadian government’s commitment to evaluating future large-scale research reactor infrastructure creates an opportunity to address a critical gap in Canada’s scientific toolkit. Canadian researchers need access to such capabilities that support national priorities. Neutrons Canada – established by Canadian research institutions to coordinate a national neutron beam program – provides the governance framework through which Canada can develop and operate strategic infrastructure for research with neutron beams.

Background

Neutron beams are irreplaceable tools for materials research, enabling scientists and engineers to probe the internal structure and behaviour of materials in ways that cannot be achieved through other techniques. A competitive nuclear supply chain depends on the ability to develop, test, and qualify advanced materials, and neutron beam methods provide unique capabilities for understanding reactor components, nuclear fuels, critical mineral processing technologies, and advanced manufactured products.  

Neutron beam research is applied  not only to nuclear energy innovation, but also to developments in critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, quantum technologies, health sciences, clean energy systems, and national security and defence applications. Canada currently lacks a world-class neutron-beam facility and coordinated access for researchers from industry, government and academia. Canadian researchers face increasing barriers for conducting cutting-edge research and training the next generation of highly qualified personnel. In the near term, strengthened domestic neutron capabilities, combined with partnerships with world-leading neutron sources, will help ensure that Canadian innovation remains competitive on the global stage. A future Canadian research reactor equipped with modern neutron beam capabilities would represent a foundational nation-building asset supporting discovery, innovation, industrial competitiveness, nuclear energy development, and Canada’s long-term sovereignty.

About Neutrons Canada

Neutrons Canada is a national not-for-profit organization with 16 institutional members. Its purpose is to govern, manage, and represent Canada’s infrastructure program for research and development with neutron beams, including international partnerships that secure access to world-leading neutron laboratories, operation of Canada’s domestic neutron beam facilities, and national initiatives for future neutron sources, thereby enabling Canadians to address major social and economic challenges.  Activities are currently supported by membership fees and contributions through a Collaborative Support Agreement with McMaster University, the University of Saskatchewan and the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation, Inc.

Media Contact

John Root
Executive Director, Neutrons Canada
john.root@neutrons.ca