Planning for a New Research Reactor in Canada

Neutrons Canada welcomes the initiative of the nuclear research and development sector to consider a new multi-purpose research reactor (MPRR) for Canada. This new reactor could serve multiple missions, including nuclear power research and testing, production of isotopes, and neutron beams. By supporting a wide range of research activities, such a facility would advance not only Canada’s energy sovereignty, but also economic sovereignty through added value and greater resiliency in manufacturing, critical minerals, agri-food and emerging quantum technologies.  

“Canada’s economic sovereignty and security amidst a fast-changing world require an advanced research ecosystem. Including a national neutron beam laboratory at a new multipurpose research reactor would be a prudent way to maximize return on investment and bolster the ecosystem,” says Dr. John Barrett, Chair of the Neutrons Canada Board of Directors. “Documented economic returns from neutron beam facilities, for instance, have been more than triple Canada’s investment. These returns arise from research on advanced materials that underpin today’s nuclear and hydro power stations, energy pipelines, computers, and automotive and aerospace manufacturing.”

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) hosted a workshop in February with the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering (CINS) to help update the design requirements for Canadian neutron users to conduct their research at a national neutron beam laboratory at a MPRR. CINS represents neutron users.

This event is the latest in a series of early-stage considerations led by CNL since 2021 toward a new MPRR for Canada, and CNL has formed an alliance with other major players in nuclear research and development to continue developing the MPRR concept.

In parallel, the neutron beam community has its plan for rebuilding Canada’s capabilities for research that requires neutron beams, entitled Canadian Neutron Long-Range Plan for 2025 to 2035. The Long-Range Plan recommends exploring the business case for a MPRR as a vital step in a proposed national program for infrastructure for research and development with neutron beams.

The neutron beam community has also created Neutrons Canada as the organization to govern, manage, and represent the required program.

“Neutrons Canada looks forward to cooperating with the MPRR initiative,” says Barrett. “As recommended in the Long-Range Plan, we look forward to exploring the business case for such a facility in which the neutron beam community is an equal player among the other users and beneficiaries of such a facility.”