Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration is negotiating a landmark energy deal with Saskatchewan to accelerate uranium mining approvals and advance small modular nuclear reactor development, aiming to bolster Western Canada’s role in the national energy landscape.
The discussions, involving Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, focus on slashing regulatory timelines for uranium projects, which currently stretch up to 15 years, while securing federal backing for infrastructure to transmit power across provincial industries. A senior source revealed that the deal could mirror the non-binding memorandum of understanding signed with Alberta, or evolve into a series of tailored agreements aligned with Ottawa’s forthcoming national electricity strategy.
The goal is to position Saskatchewan as a hub for nuclear-powered electricity generation.
Beyond uranium, the talks encompass the development of small modular reactors, seen as a critical tool for low-emission power generation. Saskatchewan joins Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick in prioritizing this technology to meet future energy demands. The negotiations also address long-standing provincial opposition to Trudeau-era clean electricity regulations and the industrial carbon price, with potential modifications under consideration.
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Carney has emphasized the urgency of doubling Canada’s electricity grid capacity to support electrification of sectors like automotive and high-speed rail in Eastern Canada. After a recent meeting with premiers in Ottawa, he reiterated the need for cleaner, more reliable, and affordable power to meet national objectives.
A stronger partnership with Saskatchewan could counter rising separatist sentiment in the West, reinforcing Carney’s commitment to addressing regional concerns. The province’s uranium mines in the northwest, near Alberta’s oilsands and the Northwest Territories, are eyed as part of a broader, interconnected grid to address shifting power needs over the coming decades.
Separately, NexGen Energy Ltd. recently secured a license from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to construct its Rook I uranium mine in the southern Athabasca Basin. With construction set to begin this summer and a projected annual output of up to 30 million pounds of uranium, the project marks a significant step in expanding Saskatchewan’s uranium mining capacity over the next four years.
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