Annual CNA Parliament Day: The Future is Nuclear and We’re Leading the Change!  

On Wednesday November 27, the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) hosted its highly anticipated Parliament Hill Day in Ottawa, Ontario. A delegation of 30 industry experts, representatives from North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN) and labour unions leveraged their collective power to address critical concerns in the nuclear sector: labour shortages, skills development and increasing female representation in the workforce.  

🔧💼 Labour Shortages: Advocates called on policymakers to invest in the nuclear workforce offering a solution to the current labour shortage in Canada.  Officials were urged to leverage resources and tools as sustainable nuclear jobs are the cornerstone of economic growth. Creating jobs in the nuclear industry will not only help the economy but will also help to fulfill Canada's climate and energy goals.

🔨🎓 Skills Development, Education and Training:  To maintain and grow a workforce that meets the demands of a sustainable economy, investing in skills development, education and training is paramount. Officials were urged to support training and education programs to not only upskill the current workforce, but equip all nuclear professionals with the tools to thrive in the industry.  

👷‍♀️🌎Increasing Female Representation in the Nuclear Workforce: Advocates pushed for policies that not only prioritized sustainability, but to ensure that women have access to opportunities in the nuclear industry.  Increased female representation in the nuclear workforce allows for richer pool of ideas, perspectives and solutions that will drive Canada towards a more equitable future in the energy sector.

Parliament Day was more than just a conversation. It was a day where determined voices aimed to inspire policy change, shape public perception of nuclear power in Canada and to advocate for the transformative power of nuclear energy. It’s time to recognize that the energy of tomorrow is nuclear, and the opportunity is now! Let’s continue to light up the conversation on nuclear energy!