Canada’s nuclear opportunity depends on building capacity to deliver, GHD leaders tell Parliament

OTTAWA, Ontario — [10 November, 2026] — GHD leaders Tej Gidda and Sam Varah told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources that Canada has a strong foundation for nuclear growth but must expand its workforce and delivery capacity as new projects advance across the country. 

Gidda, GHD’s Global Leader, Energy, and Varah, GHD’s Nuclear Energy Leader, appeared on Oct. 28 as witnesses in the committee’s study on Canada’s Nuclear Future. Their remarks focused on energy sovereignty, rising electricity demand and the need to develop the people, skills, businesses and supply chains required to deliver major nuclear programs. 

Varah pointed to recent work at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station as evidence that Canada can deliver large, complex nuclear projects, while cautioning that the sector cannot assume today’s capacity will be sufficient for what comes next. He noted that Canada has not completed a new power reactor since 1993 and that much of the workforce that built the existing fleet has retired. At the same time, new development is moving forward, including the small modular reactor project at Darlington. 

“As nuclear activity grows, we need to make sure our expertise grows with it,” Varah said. “The question is: do we have the people and skills to deliver?” 

Varah said nuclear delivery requires a broad mix of engineers, environmental scientists, skilled trades, designers, project managers and manufacturers, as well as professionals who understand Canada’s regulatory environment, environmental conditions and Indigenous partnerships. He also spoke about GHD’s participation in industry workforce discussions and its work with universities to explore how the sector can attract new talent and upskill the existing workforce. 

Gidda placed the workforce challenge within a wider energy-security context. He said Canada’s uranium resources and nuclear expertise can help the country strengthen control over its energy future while supporting allies seeking secure energy supplies. He also emphasized that nuclear is one part of a broader future grid that will include renewables and energy storage. 

“The nuclear renaissance is real. It is driven by the need for energy sovereignty, increased power demand and the energy transition,” Gidda said. “We are not suggesting nuclear will do it all. The grid of the future will balance renewables, energy storage and nuclear, but nuclear is the dependable, clean, around-the-clock foundation that keeps the lights on.” 

Gidda cited forecasts for significant electricity-demand growth in Ontario through 2050, driven by data centres, industry, electrification and population growth. He said Canada’s combination of uranium resources, technology, expertise and delivery experience creates an opportunity to strengthen domestic energy security while building capabilities that can compete internationally.

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GHD es una empresa líder en servicios profesionales que opera en los mercados mundiales de agua, energía y recursos, medio ambiente, infraestructura y edificaciones, y transporte. Comprometidos con la visión de garantizar que el agua, la energía y las comunidades sean sostenibles para las futuras generaciones, GHD ofrece soluciones en consultoría, servicios digitales, ingeniería, arquitectura, medio ambiente y construcción a clientes del sector público y privado. Fundada en 1928 y propiedad de sus trabajadores, GHD cuenta con una red de más de 12.000 profesionales en más de 165 oficinas en cinco continentes.