Thank you, Madam Chair.
I would like to welcome the witnesses with us this evening, as well as my colleagues.
My first question is for Mr. Bernier, from the Department of Natural Resources.
Mr. Bernier, in your remarks, you mentioned that Canada should position itself as a world leader in the production of small modular nuclear reactors. You spoke of demand and a global potential of $150 billion.
I’m trying to understand the situation to clarify some things. Several countries have already produced small modular nuclear reactors, including China, South Korea, Russia and the United States. The Americans asked the Department of Energy to commission a report on various small modular nuclear reactor designs. The report concluded that small modular nuclear reactors would not be operational by the end of the decade. Even in 2022, there is not a single small modular nuclear reactor in the United States ready for commercial use.
All of the countries I’ve named have tried to market small modular nuclear reactors on a global scale. We know that there may be potential demand. However, these countries have not successfully marketed this type of reactor.
I would like to know how Canada will differ from countries who, for several years, have already tried to sell small modular nuclear reactors.