Toronto 
Ontario is moving ahead with a major overhaul of one of its most significant nuclear facilities, setting the stage for thousands of new jobs and a long-term boost to the province’s energy supply.
Credit: To Do Canada
The province has given approval for Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to refurbish four CANDU reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, a project aimed at extending the plant’s lifespan and reinforcing the province’s energy stability.
Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce called the station one of the world’s strongest-performing nuclear facilities and said renewing it supports the government’s broader plan to strengthen the workforce and protect Ontario’s economy. He noted that keeping the project’s spending largely within the country—90 per cent, according to the government—helps bolster the Canadian supply chain.
The plan focuses on the Pickering “B” units, numbered 5 through 8. Pending final approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, OPG expects to start the execution phase in early 2027. Work is projected to wrap up by the mid-2030s. When complete, the station’s output is expected to reach roughly 2,200 megawatts, enough to power about 2.2 million homes.
Job creation is a major component of the project: about 30,500 positions are expected during the refurbishment, with another 6,700 roles supported during ongoing operations. The total budget is $26.8 billion, and OPG estimates that the project and continued operations will add $41.6 billion to Canada’s GDP. As part of its commitments, OPG will invest $100 million with Indigenous-owned companies over the course of the refurbishment.
The upgrade is also expected to secure long-term production of Cobalt-60, a medical isotope widely used in cancer therapy and the sterilization of medical tools and food products. Local MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy said the project strengthens both the regional workforce and Ontario’s position in energy production.
The refurbishment is a central component of Ontario’s Energy for Generations plan, which outlines the province’s approach to ensuring a steady, affordable power supply as electricity demand rises in the decades ahead.
