Thank you very much, Mr. Blaikie.
I would start by saying that, as the world moves to decarbonize and as we work to a net-zero 2050 future, we're seeing that economic opportunities globally are going to stem from that area.
Nations like ours have two challenges. First is how we decarbonize here at home. Second is how we help other nations around the world decarbonize so that we can hit that target. Aside from making it a safer, better world, there is of course economic opportunity to be had.
In these instances, first, to decarbonize here at home either we're going to be using our own technology, where we have expertise, like some of the presenters here before you today, or we're going to be importing technology from elsewhere. Of course, when it comes to helping other nations, we're going to need to look to the technologies where we have a depth of expertise and a real potential to help.
I'd submit to you that, with nuclear, we're a tier one nation, widely regarded as one of the best nuclear operators in the world. We also have one of the healthiest nuclear ecosystems of any country in the world right now because of the refurbishments that are going on here of all of our nuclear units in Ontario. There are 76,000 people, with $17.3 billion of money going to the GDP each year. We're using that very healthy ecosystem to do some incredible innovations in conventional nuclear but also these small modular reactors.
I'd say that small modular reactors are going to enable us to decarbonize some of the hardest areas to decarbonize—heavy industry, oil and gas extraction and mining—and will help first nations. If we can use those niche technologies where we have that expertise to help other nations, we'll be able to not only help them decarbonize but benefit economically.
Therefore, support the industries that you know we can bring abroad as well as help here at home.