CNA Conference 2025

The discussions will center on the co-generation and non-electric applications of small modular reactors (SMRs). This includes their use in powering and cooling data centers, oil extraction, petrochemical refining, district heating, steelmaking, and even initiatives like nuclear-powered fish hatcheries. Sean Donnelly will also address deployment challenges and examine unique characteristics related to design, nuclear licensing, and public acceptance.

Speaker:
Sean Donnelly, Senior Director, Licensing & New Build, Kinectrics
April 16th, 2025 from 10:30 to 10:50 | Seasons Stage

Creating a high-performance culture is crucial for the nuclear industry to address the dual challenges of ensuring safety and promoting innovation in a changing energy landscape. This panel will examine how organizations can empower their workforce, adapt to complex situations, and align teams around a common mission. Panelists will also share practical strategies for effective decision-making at all levels, encourage continuous learning, and develop resilient processes supporting innovation and regulatory compliance.

Speakers:
Julie West, P.Eng. SVP, Business Improvements & Compliance, Kinectrics (Moderator)
Kathy Parker, Partner, National Leader, Workforce Transformed Platform at PwC Canada
April 16th, 2025 from 10:30 to 11:00 | Boreal Stage

The duty to consult Indigenous communities is a legal and ethical requirement in developing small modular reactor (SMR) projects rooted in reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous rights. This consultation acknowledges the unique relationships that Indigenous peoples have with their lands and resources.

The panel will explore the need for First Nations to have meaningful ownership in future Canadian reactors, moving beyond minor equity stakes. This significant ownership will support capacity building, enable access to government infrastructure funding for SMR projects, and foster the creation of Indigenous-owned companies within the SMR supply chain.

Speakers:
Mike Ruysseveldt, Director, Indigenous Relations and New Business, Kinectrics
Bob Watts, Vice President, Indigenous Relations, Nuclear Waste Management Office
Larkin Mosscrop, Manager, Environmental Services and Clean Energy, Kinectrics (Moderator)
April 16th, 2025 from 14:30 to 15:00 | Seasons Stage

The Clean Energy Frontier, which includes Bruce, Grey, and Huron counties within the Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory, is a leader in clean energy production and innovation, supported by Bruce Power and a robust network of suppliers in the region. Since 2016, the area has become an economic hub, attracting over 60 clean energy companies and fostering partnerships among governments, industries, and communities.

This presentation will cover strategies that enhance workforce development, integrate supply chains, and encourage community engagement, ensuring shared benefits for all stakeholders. Key lessons emphasize the need for regional foresight and a coordinated business approach to strengthen rural economies.

By showcasing the Clean Energy Frontier’s successes, the session will demonstrate how rural areas can effectively implement new nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), while driving sustainable local economic growth.

Speakers:
Stellina Williams, Vice President, Nuclear Innovation Institute
John R. MacQuarrie, P.Eng, M.A.Sc, President, Commercial Operations, BWXT Technologies
John D’Angelo, Chief Nuclear Officer, Kinectrics
Luke Charbonneau, Mayor of the Town of Saugeen Shores, Warden of Bruce County
April 16th, 2025 from 16:15 to 17:00 | Boreal Stage

Medical isotopes have been at the forefront of the fight against cancer for over 100 years. As demand for precision radiopharmaceuticals continues to grow, there is a need for large-scale production of key isotopes. Canada’s nuclear sector has recently pioneered the use of nuclear power plants for medical isotope production, which represents a step change in production, reliability of supply, and availability of therapeutic isotopes. This panel will feature leaders within Canada’s isotope and radiopharmaceutical sector in discussions around current and future opportunities for medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical production, utilization, and collaborations.

With the invaluable expertise of leaders in the nuclear supply chain in Canada, this session addresses the techniques to overcome supply chain challenges and promote resiliency to expand the Canadian medical isotope market. This session will also highlight Canada’s advantages in technology and collaboration to improve production and supply of critical isotopes.

This session will also include the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) and the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) to formalize the regular inclusion of policy recommendations that address nuclear isotope innovation within CNA advocacy efforts.

Speakers:
James Scongack, Chair, Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
Dave Euser, Vice President, New Build Integration, Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRéalis company
Travis Besanger, Vice President Medical Isotopes, Isogen
Karin Stephenson, Director Nuclear Research and Education Support, McMaster University
Vittorio Puppo, President, BWXT Medical
April 17th, 2025 from 9:45 to 10:30 | Boreal Stage

Speaker:
Luke Dolenc, Associate Analyst, Kinectrics
April 15th, 2025 from 15:45 to 16:45 | Rooms 213/215

The Regulatory Affairs seminar will focus on information sharing and discussions regarding Canada’s evolving nuclear regulatory landscape. Representatives from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) will be present to provide updates on their upcoming plans for the regulatory framework. This includes key regulations and REGDOCS, particularly REGDOC 3.2.2, which addresses Indigenous engagement. Additionally, CNSC staff will update participants on the regulatory readiness for small modular reactors (SMRs). Representatives from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and CNSC will also be on hand to discuss the integrated assessment process.

Speaker:
Jim Morris, Manager, Operational Safety & Compliance, Kinectrics
April 15th, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:30 | Rooms 205/206

The Policy Seminar will focus on two key initiatives led by CNA in collaboration with our members.

An Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Canada

Canada has an opportunity in the coming decades to deploy a substantial amount of new nuclear energy, to supply low-carbon emissions electricity, and to power hard-to-decarbonize industries. The first half of the seminar will provide the findings of a recent CNA study – An Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Canada – that provides a Canadian electricity demand forecast and defines the potential role of nuclear development. The findings of this study uncover compelling arguments for Canada’s federal and provincial governments and the policies that must be considered to unleash this growth potential. The findings highlight the importance and benefits of aligning public policy and raising public awareness of Canada’s electricity challenge about demand growth.

The Future of the Canadian Nuclear Workforce: Projections and a Strategy

The nuclear sector is collaborating to identify the workforce requirements that will be required between now and 2050 to enable the full potential buildout and ensure a capable workforce is developed to support SMR and large-scale deployments across Canada. CNA is working on this critical study with many CNA members, including the provinces of Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta, and Natural Resources Canada. The second half of the CNA Policy Seminar will present some details of the in-depth needs assessments and projections of the nuclear workforce required to enable the growth projections of the sector out to 2050. This will be followed by a discussion and consultation with seminar participants on the development of a national nuclear workforce plan.

Speaker:
Larkin Mosscrop, Manager, Environmental Services and Clean Energy, Kinectrics
April 15th, 2025 from 10:45 to 12:15 | Rooms 205/206