Community Overview
The Regional Municipality of Durham is located in southeastern Ontario along the north shore of Lake Ontario, immediately east of Toronto.
Durham Region is composed of several lower-tier municipalities, including the City of Pickering and the Municipality of Clarington, both of which host major nuclear facilities. With a population of over 700,000 residents, the Region plays a key role in infrastructure, planning, and service delivery across one of Ontario’s fastest-growing areas
Nuclear Presence
Durham Region is home to one of Canada’s most significant nuclear energy clusters, anchored by major facilities in Pickering and Clarington and supported by a wide range of activities across the nuclear lifecycle.
Key facilities within the Region include:
- Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, located in the City of Pickering and operated by Ontario Power Generation
- Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, located in the Municipality of Clarington and also operated by Ontario Power Generation
- Darlington New Nuclear Project (SMR) – Canada’s first grid-scale Small Modular Reactor initiative, based on the BWRX-300 technology
- Darlington Waste Management Facility – Supporting the safe, long-term storage of nuclear materials
- Port Granby Project, located in Clarington and led by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, focused on the remediation and long-term containment of historic low-level radioactive waste
Together, these facilities reflect Durham Region’s central role in electricity generation, innovation, and environmental remediation within Canada’s nuclear sector.
Role in Supporting the Nuclear Sector
As a regional government, Durham Region:
- Plays a lead role in emergency management and preparedness for nuclear facilities, including planning, coordination, and public safety measures
- Provides regional infrastructure, planning, and services that support host municipalities and a large nuclear workforce
- Engages with industry, regulators, and all levels of government on nuclear-related matters, including the development and implementation of regional nuclear strategy and planning initiatives
- Supports coordinated approaches to regional priorities, including growth, transportation, and community services
Durham Region’s experience highlights the important role that regional governments play in supporting host municipalities and ensuring the safe and coordinated operation of major nuclear facilities.
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