Montreal: July 23, 2025– AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world, welcomes Colleges Ontario as a new ambassador in support of the Canadians for CANDU campaign.
Ontario’s colleges are key contributors to the province’s nuclear energy future. Through industry-aligned programs in power engineering, radiation safety, electrical and mechanical technology and skilled trades, colleges ensure graduates are job-ready for careers across the nuclear supply chain. Colleges partner with nuclear operators, research institutions and equipment manufacturers to provide students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge technology. This collaboration helps address labour market needs, supports innovation in reactor maintenance and refurbishment and strengthens Ontario’s global leadership in nuclear excellence.
The Canadians for CANDU campaign was launched on February 28, 2024, and is proudly supported by organizations including organized labour, supply chain, nuclear medicine, education, and Indigenous Canadian organizations. Spearheaded by Co-Chairs the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien and former Ontario Premier Mike Harris, the campaign promotes the deployment of CANDU® nuclear technology at home and abroad in support of Canadian and global efforts to reach net-zero emissions.
“I would like to thank Ontario’s colleges for their leadership in Canada’s world class nuclear sector, and their support for CANDU technology,” said Joe St. Julian, President, Nuclear, AtkinsRéalis. “This growing movement can position Canada as a global clean energy champion, while promoting a domestic nuclear industry that Canadians can be proud of.”
“Ontario’s colleges play a critical role in training the skilled workforce needed to support the nuclear sector’s long-term growth and sustainability,” said Maureen Adamson, Interim President and CEO, Colleges Ontario. “As an ambassador for the Canadians for CANDU campaign, Colleges Ontario is proud to champion the importance of nuclear energy in powering a cleaner, more secure future for our province. We look forward to working with industry leaders and postsecondary partners to ensure our graduates are ready to drive innovation and meet evolving workforce needs.”
Sign up at canadiansforcandu.com to support the movement and follow on LinkedIn.
The CANDU moment
Canada enjoys world-leading expertise in the design, construction, operations, maintenance, and overall program management of nuclear reactors, supported by a highly qualified supply chain. CANDU technology is one of Canada’s most important innovations and remains the nation’s only domestically developed and licenced nuclear technology.
CANDU technology—which uses natural uranium—renowned for its safety, efficiency, and versatility, stands as a source of pride for Canadians and remains a leading force in nuclear innovation worldwide. Six decades after it was first developed, it stands as the linchpin of a vibrant Canadian nuclear ecosystem that supports over 89,000 stable and well-remunerated jobs across a wide variety of professional and skilled trades fields, not to mention researchers at our world-class universities and research institutions.1
CANDU technology remains the only nuclear power technology that coproduces the medical isotopes that are used in cancer-fighting treatments and the sterilization of medical devices. The current CANDU fleet in Ontario produces 50% of the world’s supply of Cobalt-60, which is used for medical device sterilization.2
CANDU intellectual property is owned by the federal government. It is a national strategic asset critical to the energy transition, supporting significant economic opportunities for Canadians.
The Canadians for CANDU campaign calls on the federal and provincial governments to support the only made-in-Canada nuclear technology on the market to help the country reach net-zero and support a thriving domestic nuclear ecosystem.
The choice is clear. It’s time to choose CANDU.
About Canadians for CANDU
Canadians for CANDU includes industry leaders, members of the domestic supply-chain, academics, and citizens who believe Canadian expertise and innovation has a leading role to play in the deployment of nuclear energy solutions at home and abroad. canadiansforcandu.com
About Colleges Ontario
Colleges Ontario is the collective voice of the province’s 24 public colleges, advocating for strategic investment, accessible education and policies that prepare a highly skilled workforce. Colleges Ontario promotes the sector’s role in enhancing innovation, economic growth and community development—ensuring Ontario thrives, now and in the future. Visit the website to learn more: collegesontario.org.
About AtkinsRéalis
Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
