Leaders from across Canada’s nuclear industry met this week at McMaster University as part of Canadians for CANDU’s national campaign to advance Canada’s clean energy future through the adoption of CANDU technology.

The campaign calls on federal and provincial governments to support CANDU technology — the only made-in-Canada nuclear technology on the market — to help the country reach net-zero emissions targets and support a thriving domestic nuclear ecosystem.

McMaster announced its commitment to the campaign last year, naming Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Susan Tighe the university’s Canadians for CANDU ambassador.

“CANDU technology has been a cornerstone of Canada’s nuclear energy landscape and we see McMaster as a natural partner given the role our university plays in Canada’s nuclear research ecosystem,” Tighe said.

This week’s meeting drew over two dozen representatives from leading companies in construction, engineering services and nuclear power.

The group also toured the McMaster Nuclear Reactor and met with university leaders, faculty and students at a reception where Tighe announced  McMaster’s new interdisciplinary Minor in Nuclear Studies and Society.

Open to all McMaster students, the minor will include new courses that will be available in Fall 2025.

“Our infrastructure, resources and expertise are primed to offer enhanced academic programming in nuclear,” Tighe said.

“With more than 1,300 alumni working in the nuclear industry, we will continue to build on our commitment to ensuring our clean energy future is secure and thriving.”

Designed with interdisciplinary education at its core, the minor will equip undergraduate students with the knowledge and skills to tackle critical challenges and opportunities in the evolving field, while helping the nuclear industry meet the growing demand for skilled workers.

The announcement was met with enthusiasm from the industry representatives, who count on McMaster graduates for their future growth.

Joe St. Julian, president, Global Nuclear at AtkinsRéalis, applauded McMaster for creating a program that directly responds to the sector’s growing demand for highly skilled professionals.

“I want to thank McMaster University for its leadership in Canada’s world-class nuclear sector,” St. Julian said. “The industry’s growth and success depend on the top-tier talent and cutting-edge research you continue to produce.”

The Canadians for CANDU campaign, co-chaired by former prime minister Jean Chrétien and former Ontario premier Mike Harris, was launched in 2024 by Montreal-based AtkinsRéalis, an engineering services and nuclear organization.