Collaborative Proposal Creation
Create, improve and sponsor proposals in a respectful, fully bilingual environment. Grow proposals in the "Hothouse", for promotion to the "Workshop", to become official GPC policy.
Preamble
Nuclear power is one of the lowest-carbon sources of electricity, as recognized by IPCC and United Nations ECE. A majority of Canadians support using nuclear energy to generate electricity.
Proposal text
Green Party of Canada WILL CEASE BLANKET-OPPOSITION TO NUCLEAR POWER AS A SOURCE OF LOW-CARBON ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION.
Type of Proposal
Public policy that the party would represent.
Objective / Benefit
This resolution is intended to withdraw existing GPC policies which oppose Canada's use of nuclear technologies for non-military purposes. GPC policies which impede nuclear by calling for "renewable" energy shall be updated to replace "renewable" with "clean".
If your proposal replaces an existing policy or policies, which one does it replace?
1996 Foreign Aid - repeal
G06-p11 Enhanced Nuclear Policy - repeal
1998 - Peace and Security - repeal
G08-p012 Nuclear Power - repeal
G10-p31 Carbon Free National Feed-in Tariff - Amend: remove "non-nuclear,"
G08-136 Energy Transition Plan - Amend: change "renewable energy" to "clean energy"
G08-p137 Support of Distributed Electrical Power Grid Research - Amend: change "renewable energy" to "clean energy"
List any supporting evidence for your proposal
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe issued a report comparing not just lifecycle carbon emissions for various electricity sources, but overall impact on the environment and human health. Nuclear power was the single lowest CO2eq /kWh electricity source studied. The single lowest impact on ecosystems. And among the very lowest impact on human health. (CO2: Page 8. Ecosystems: Page 57. Human health: Page 58.) https://unece.org/sed/documents/2021/10/reports/life-cycle-assessment-electricity-generation-options
Our World In Data summarizes a modern assessment of various electricity system's safety and cleanliness. While not as in-depth or recent as UN ECE's study, Our World In Data clearly positioned nuclear in 2020 as one of humanity's safest and cleanest energy sources. https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy
Despite his continued opposition to nuclear power, Dr. Gordon Edwards acknowledges "Low-carbon emitting technologies include solar, wind, hydro and nuclear" in a 2021 briefing paper. https://www.ourcommons.ca/content/Committee/441/ENVI/WebDoc/WD11891319/11891319/RamanaMV-1-e.pdf
In GPC's "Roundtable on Canada's Nuclear Policy" Dr. Gordon Edward observes that splitting atoms for energy does not release carbon. (Excerpt with my commentary:) https://youtu.be/HKIcnbMMdO0?t=24 (Original video:) https://www.facebook.com/GreenPartyofCanada/videos/934857067289154/
The nuclear supply chain for CANDU refurbishments is 98% Canadian. https://www.opg.com/documents/2021-ontario-nuclear-collaboration-report/
This can be contrasted with other low (but not as low as nuclear) carbon energy sources where components are not domestically produced, such as wind turbines: https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/79fdad93-9025-49ad-ba16-c26d718cc070
Nuclear's domestic, Canadian, supply chain still achieves a cost /kWh only beaten by hydropower. https://www.oeb.ca/sites/default/files/rpp-price-report-20211022.pdf
On April 23, 2023, Dr. Chris Keefer debated Dr. Gordon Edwards on the subject of nuclear power in Canada. This was the "Roundtable on Canada's Nuclear Policy" that GPC members might have experienced, if a single pro-nuclear voice had been allowed to participate. https://youtu.be/LvMC8TK025w
Angus Reid Institute finds increasing support from Canadians for nuclear power. In June 2021, 51% of Canadians said they would like to see further development of nuclear power generation. Now 57% say the same. https://angusreid.org/canada-energy-nuclear-power-oil-and-gas-wind-solar/
This 57% of Canadians supporting nuclear matches a similar trend in the United States, where also now 57% support nuclear power. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/18/growing-share-of-americans-favor-more-nuclear-power/
Germany serves as a cautionary tale that renewables have not replaced their nuclear fleet. This video details use on online grid monitoring tools to evaluate Elizabeth May's statement (made during COP28) that shutting down nuclear power has "freed up" the grid to accept renewable energy, while not also noting that German grid remains high-carbon, and Germany immediately transitioned (upon the closure of their last nuclear power plants) from being net-exporter of electricity to net-importer of electricity. https://youtu.be/8rcMwmGuGSo
Does this proposal affect any particular group and what efforts have been made to consult with the group or groups?
N/A
Jurisdiction: Is this proposal under federal jurisdiction?
Yes
Please indicate the language the proposal is being submitted in.
English
This proposal is being evaluated
Posted on the Continuous Motion Development Vote tab for member review prior to the all-member vote.
Amendments (3)
-
Created at
05/07/2024 -
- 6
-
Created at
27/02/2024 -
- 0
-
Created at
05/07/2024 -
- 0
We're building a new kind of politics. One that is open, participatory, and people-powered
If you believe in what we're doing, please consider making a small donation to help us build it
Related images
Report inappropriate content
Is this content inappropriate?
Comment details
You are seeing a single comment
View all comments
1) "Nuclear is too slow."
This argument presents a false dilemma, assuming that nuclear’s longer build time is incompatible with urgent climate goals. Nuclear plants provide decades of reliable, low-carbon power, which complements renewables by ensuring consistent baseload. Countries like France and Sweden rapidly decarbonized with a nuclear-renewable mix. Moreover, SMRs, already in development in Canada and the U.S., aim to reduce build times and streamline nuclear deployment.
2) "Nuclear is too costly."
An unfair oversimplification. Nuclear’s up-front costs are offset by a long operational life (60–80 years) of stable, low-cost energy. The Guardian’s graph lacks context on regional cost variations and new technologies. Established programs in France and South Korea show nuclear’s affordability at scale. Additionally, renewables need storage and grid expansion for stability—costs nuclear helps avoid by providing consistent power.
3) "Nuclear waste is dangerous, and there’s no solution."
This argument reflects confirmation bias, focusing on unresolved concerns without recognizing waste-management progress. Countries like Finland have pioneered safe, deep geological repositories. Our own DGR here in Ontario is in final approval stages. Nuclear waste is highly regulated and minimal in volume compared to fossil fuel waste. Indigenous communities are increasingly consulted in waste projects, and framing them as purely exploitative disregards these collaborative efforts.
4) "Nuclear power is linked to nuclear weapons."
Another logical fallacy: guilt by association. Civilian nuclear plants use low-enriched uranium, unsuitable for weapons, and are internationally regulated to prevent crossover. Nuclear energy’s decades of clean power are separate from military applications, and equating them overlooks robust non-proliferation practices.
5) "Nuclear accidents can be catastrophic."
This argument again leans on confirmation bias by focusing on a few incidents while ignoring the nuclear industry’s strong overall safety record. Major accidents were caused by flawed designs or unique events, not by inherent flaws in nuclear tech. Today’s designs are far safer, and studies clearly show nuclear is one of the safest energy sources per kWh. Dismissing nuclear based on rare past accidents overlooks improvements in reactor safety.
6) "Efficiency is the best path to Net Zero."
Efficiency is essential, but it can’t replace consistent power generation to meet demand. This argument creates a false dichotomy, as if we must choose between efficiency and nuclear. Countries leading in efficiency still rely on stable baseload from nuclear or hydro to ensure grid reliability.
7) "ENGOs oppose nuclear energy."
Ignores a broader scientific consensus that includes nuclear as part of decarbonization strategies. Citing a few organizations doesn’t negate nuclear’s place in the clean energy mix, as recognized by the UN and IPCC.
Loading comments ...