Major nuclear firm urges Ottawa’s neutrality as demand for clean energy soars

The strategy also outlines a plan to boost foreign sales of Candu reactors, which are manufactured by Canadian company AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier this month that AtkinsRéalis has a real shot at winning a lucrative tender to supply nuclear energy to Turkey — a prospect he said was remote a year ago.

Gitzel, whose company competes with AtkinsRéalis, said the federal government should “not put its finger on the scale” and advocate for all Canadian nuclear companies and their technologies.

Gitzel said Canada can be a “global nuclear superstar” but not if it limits technology diversification.

Gitzel argued the federal government was actively advocating against Cameco’s technology in markets like Poland where its nuclear reactors are under construction.

“It seems unfair to me that Canadian champions have to compete with their own government to be successful,” he told the committee. “Electrical utilities in Canada and around the world rely on Cameco to provide uranium, nuclear fuel and reactor technologies to generate nuclear power.

“Cameco is the nuclear fuel supply chain in Canada, and the reason Canada has a seat at the global nuclear fuel table.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2026.

-With files from Nick Murray and Craig Lord

Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Major nuclear firm urges Ottawa’s neutrality as demand for clean energy soars

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