Pioneering New Nuclear in Western Canada is the leading nuclear energy convening in Western Canada and SMR Forum’s flagship high-level platform for strategic dialogue on Canada’s next generation of nuclear energy. Hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, the Forum brings together senior leaders from government, Indigenous communities, industry, utilities, finance, academia, regulators, and international partners to advance practical pathways for new nuclear deployment.
Building on the momentum of earlier editions, the Edmonton SMR Forum has demonstrated strong convening power and market demand. The most recent Forum was a sold-out event featuring 60 speakers, 12 expert panels, two invitation-only roundtables, and a public side event.
The 2026 Forum will take stock of recent progress in nuclear policy and project development while directly addressing the challenges that remain. Over two days, discussions will focus on financing new nuclear projects, regulatory readiness, environmental and social responsibility, public confidence and engagement, workforce and supply-chain development, and the role of nuclear in decarbonizing heavy industry.
The program will also explore emerging priorities including critical minerals and energy security, deployment opportunities in Arctic and remote communities, Canada–U.S. cooperation, and the intersection of nuclear energy, data centres, and AI-driven demand growth.
In addition to the main program, the Forum will feature high-level, invitation-only roundtables designed to support practical, outcomes-oriented dialogue.