The Pickering, Darlington and Bruce Power nuclear generating stations are all within driving distance from the city of Cambridge. Nuclear power meets more than 50 per cent of Ontario's electricity needs. The nuclear industry in Ontario creates jobs and significantly adds to Ontario's gross domestic product (GDP).

Nuclear research

Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario has a number of research reactors and medical isotope production reactors. McMaster University, just a short distance from Cambridge, has a 5MWth MTR class nuclear research reactor. This research reactor began operating in 1959 and remains the highest-flux reactor in a university environment in Canada.  

Companies in the nuclear sector

Below is a list of nuclear sector companies in Cambridge.

BWXT Canada Limited

BWXT Canada Limited is a global leader in the design, engineering, manufacturing, construction, and service of steam generation equipment. They also supply the nuclear industry with more than 1,300 large, heavy components. BWXT is the only heavy nuclear component manufacturer in North America.

There are more than 350 employees including engineers, welders and skilled machinists at the Cambridge facility. BWXT Canada is the only North American company to continuously manufacture nuclear steam generators for the industry since the 1950s.
Aecon Industrial

Aecon Industrial is a leader in engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance for the heavy industrial sector, including:

  • Nuclear and non-nuclear power
  • Oil and gas
  • Petrochemical
  • Steel
  • Automotive

With a focus on power generation, Aecon Industrial serves the nuclear, hydroelectric, fossil, biomass, and natural gas industries. Maintenance and capital improvement projects are also a focus for the company. The company is also known for prefabricated piping services. The 120,000 square foot facility in Cambridge uses state-of-the-art, automated equipment to make piping, custom steel, and module fabrication.
Mirion Technologies (IST Canada) Inc.
Mirion Technologies (IST Canada) Inc. designs and manufactures core instrumentation for commercial nuclear power plants (self-powered detectors, thermocouples, liquid level probes, signal amplifiers and mineral insulated cable).
VeriForm Inc.
VeriForm Inc. makes wind tower transport saddles, solar panel systems, biogas tanks, and parts for nuclear and mining sectors.

Learn about other key sectors in Cambridge.

Supporting companies

Below is a list of companies in Cambridge that also support the nuclear industry.

Element

Element is a metallurgical test facility serving various industries, including:

  • Nuclear
  • Oil and gas
  • Automotive
  • Heavy equipment
  • Transportation
  • Defence
  • Construction

Their testing services include:

  • Chemical analysis
  • Tension properties
  • Impact
  • Weld properties
  • Failure analysis
  • Hardness
  • Metallography
  • Coating weight
  • Thickness
  • Salt spray
  • Humidity testing
  • Scanning electron microscopy
Perfection Inspection Limited
Perfection Inspection Limited provides non-destructive testing and inspection services to companies throughout Ontario for the pipeline industry, power generation and utilities.
Cambridge Materials Testing
Cambridge Materials Testing is an independent laboratory that tests the properties of a large range of products, from raw materials to finished goods, for the nuclear, aerospace, fabrication, construction, automotive, plastics, rubbers and consumer products industries.