Steve MacLellan

SMNRs (small modular nuclear reactors) have been used since the 1950s, but in the last few years, there has been a growing interest in SMNRs as a cleaner and more reliable source of power than fossil fuels. SMNRs are nuclear fission reactors that are smaller than conventional nuclear reactors, although they are still large installations.

Supporters of their continued use and innovation argue that they create simpler and cheaper nuclear energy. At first glance, this might appear to be true. When looking at popular media sources in Canada, SMNRs seem to be a strong investment opportunity for Canadians; the Canadian Nuclear Association ensures that nuclear energy will create new jobs and spark a clean energy future, The Globe and Mail cites SMNRs as a “smaller, safer, cheaper” alternative to coal, and The Toronto Star advocates that fears of nuclear energy meltdown are unfounded and thus safe for use.

Articles like these, however, make it difficult to navigate the research and find the truth behind the projected image. These articles do not present the full picture and do not answer the questions many Canadians do not know to ask: How is nuclear waste being dealt with? What is nuclear waste? Are SMNRs economically viable? Are they socially, environmentally, and economically safe?