The government intends to have at least two of these major facilities under construction by 2035. To facilitate this, Ottawa plans to accelerate regulatory reviews and finalize a financing framework by early next year, specifically designed to draw capital from pension and sovereign-wealth funds. Prime Minister Mark Carney has recused himself from the initiative due to his former role as chairman of Brookfield Asset Management, which holds a majority stake in Westinghouse Electric.

While the federal government frames this as a cornerstone policy for energy security and economic stability amidst trade pressures, the plan faces significant structural hurdles. Under the Canadian constitution, provinces maintain exclusive jurisdiction over electricity generation, limiting Ottawa's direct influence. Currently, the vast majority of nuclear power is concentrated in Ontario, which relies on the sector for 55% of its electricity. Beyond the large-scale reactors, the government is also exploring the deployment of small-modular reactors, particularly in Saskatchewan, as a potential solution for remote indigenous communities currently dependent on diesel fuel.