Northern Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Canada has committed $2.2 billion in capital funding to support the continued revitalization of the AECL-owned Chalk River Laboratories campus, a major investment aimed at strengthening the country’s nuclear science and innovation capacity as Canada prepares to launch a new national nuclear energy strategy.
The announcement was made during the Canadian Nuclear Association’s 2026 Conference, where federal officials described the funding as a cornerstone of Canada’s forthcoming “Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada,” expected to be released before the end of 2026. The strategy is expected to focus on expanding Canada’s nuclear industry to support domestic energy affordability and security while positioning Canadian companies to compete in growing global nuclear markets.
Funding will come from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), which manages and operates the Chalk River Laboratories site in eastern Ontario. The funding will support extensive modernization of the 70-year-old campus, including upgrades to critical infrastructure and the construction of advanced scientific research facilities.
“This investment reflects the Government of Canada’s confidence in the strategic value of Chalk River Laboratories and the role AECL plays in enabling nuclear science and innovation for Canada,” said AECL President and CEO Fred Dermarkar. “It will help ensure this nationally important site continues to support clean energy, innovation and long-term economic opportunities.”
The Chalk River Laboratories campus serves as Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology research centre, supporting work in power generation, fuel development, reactor safety and security, decommissioning, waste management, and reactor life extension.
“The nuclear industry is moving into a new era that will include the construction of new, large-scale conventional reactors, innovative SMR and advanced reactor designs, and even the deployment of fusion technologies,” said CNL President and CEO Dennis Carr. “All these ambitious projects will require extensive R&D and the necessary innovation to ensure they are safe, reliable and viable.”
Much of the Chalk River site infrastructure — both above and below ground — dates back more than seven decades and requires extensive renewal. The revitalization program, launched in 2016, has already resulted in the construction of several modern laboratories, office buildings, and support facilities. The new funding will allow CNL to continue replacing or refurbishing approximately 60 buildings and facilities across the campus.
Officials said sustainability will remain a central focus of future redevelopment projects, including investments in energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, as well as upgrades designed to support the federal government’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goals.
Part of the funding will also support the continued development of the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC), a 12,700-square-metre complex expected to become one of the largest nuclear research facilities ever built in Canada. The centre will house 23 laboratories and 12 shielded hot cells designed for post-irradiation examination of SMR and next-generation nuclear fuels, along with specialized glovebox facilities for advanced fuel fabrication research.
For more information visit www.cnl.ca.