Ontario Pushes Nuclear Expansion and Federal Reform at National Energy Summit

Provinces and territories agree to advance nation-building projects and expand Canada’s clean power capacity

Ontario is positioning itself at the centre of Canada’s energy future, championing nuclear expansion and regulatory reform during a first-of-its-kind meeting of provincial and territorial energy ministers in Toronto.

The Connecting Canada – Building an Energy Superpower Summit, hosted by Ontario on September 19, brought together energy ministers from across the country to forge agreements on advancing national electricity priorities. At the heart of discussions was how Canada can build the infrastructure necessary to meet surging demand for clean energy while creating jobs and attracting investment.

Over the past two days, @samoosterhoff & I welcomed Canada’s Ministers of Energy — including federal Minister Tim Hodgson — to Toronto for a first-of-its-kind national energy summit: Connecting Canada – Building an Energy Superpower.

Ontario is leading the charge to speed up… pic.twitter.com/cl5BBzBKWE

— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) September 19, 2025

Shared national priorities

Ministers agreed to work together on several fronts, including:

• New transmission infrastructure, particularly intertie projects to connect regions and share power.

• Support for internal trade, ensuring provinces and territories can better optimize clean energy supply and demand.

• Nation-building energy projects, spanning nuclear builds, hydroelectric expansions, renewable projects, and energy corridors.

• Indigenous partnerships, emphasizing shared benefits and ownership opportunities for communities engaged in energy development.

• Federal reform, with calls for faster approvals, regulatory clarity, and stronger federal investment to accelerate large-scale energy projects.

Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, said collaboration is essential to addressing growing energy needs.

“We face a common threat, which is why we came together as a country to build a clean energy future, using Canadian technology, resources, and workers,” Lecce said. “This first-of-its-kind partnership agreement lays the groundwork for nation-building energy infrastructure that will deliver clean, reliable, and affordable electricity across Canada. We are committed to building more Made-in-Canada solutions to meet rising energy demand, so that we can create jobs, keep energy rates affordable, all while powering the most competitive economy in the G7.”

Nuclear front and centre

Ontario highlighted its nuclear leadership by hosting delegates for a tour of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, one of North America’s most advanced nuclear facilities. The tour underscored Ontario’s argument that nuclear power should be a cornerstone of Canada’s long-term energy strategy.

New public opinion data shared at the summit showed strong support for nuclear energy across Canada, with 72 per cent of respondents believing their province will need more electricity in the next 20 years. Officials pointed to nuclear as a scalable, reliable source of clean power that can help Canada meet climate goals while ensuring affordability.

A framework for long-term growth

The summit’s outcomes reflect a growing recognition that Canada’s energy challenges require coordinated, interprovincial solutions. Ontario framed the commitments as part of its Energy for Generations strategy, which seeks to secure reliable and affordable power while enabling municipalities, Indigenous communities, and private industry to invest with confidence.

A more integrated national grid, supported by nuclear and other clean energy builds, would help Canada reduce emissions, lower costs for families, and ensure industries have the energy needed to expand. Ontario officials also stressed that strong supply chains and homegrown technologies will reduce reliance on imports, creating more resilient economic growth.

Looking ahead

With energy demand projected to rise sharply, ministers left the Toronto summit with a clear direction: Canada’s future prosperity depends on building large-scale, nation-building energy projects now.

For Ontario, that means leveraging its nuclear advantage while pushing for federal reforms that will speed up approvals and bring greater certainty for investors. For the rest of the country, it signals a willingness to work more closely together on projects that benefit all regions — from hydro in Quebec and Manitoba, to renewables in Alberta and the Atlantic provinces, to nuclear builds in Ontario.

The success of these efforts, officials agreed, will determine whether Canada can truly emerge as a global energy superpower while keeping power affordable for households and businesses.

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