What the New York–Ontario Nuclear Agreement Means for Canada's Nuclear Future

December 19th, 2025

In a landmark declaration signed in December 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Ontario Premier Doug Ford formalized a cross-border nuclear partnership, directing Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to collaborate on the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, including large-scale reactors and small modular reactors.

Under their memorandum of understanding, OPG and NYPA will share information and expertise to advance technological innovation, enhance understanding of nuclear financing and economics, and support workforce development needed to enable advanced nuclear facilities in both jurisdictions. The two utilities will also explore opportunities to enhance electricity trade between Ontario and New York to improve reliability and reduce emissions.

The agreement signals something significant: nuclear is no longer a long-term aspiration on either side of the border. It is an active, near-term policy and infrastructure priority. Governor Hochul has directed NYPA to develop at least 1 GWe of advanced nuclear capacity in Upstate New York. Ontario, meanwhile, is advancing construction of four SMRs at the Darlington New Nuclear Project and exploring new large-scale nuclear capacity at its Wesleyville site.

CSMC Relevance

For CSMC, this agreement is a powerful validation of the environment in which the company is building. The cross-border momentum behind nuclear, the political will to accelerate deployment, and the growing recognition that sovereign, clean, reliable power is a strategic necessity all point in the same direction CSMC has been moving since its founding. Canada is not waiting for a nuclear future. It is building one now, and CSMC's LEUNR program is part of that story, targeting the remote and defence deployments that large-scale grid infrastructure cannot reach. As governments on both sides of the border commit to advanced nuclear, the case for portable, deployable micro-reactor technology grows stronger with every announcement.

Sources

World Nuclear News. New York, Ontario team up for nuclear. World Nuclear News, December 23, 2025.