Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is at forefront of the global energy transition and is emerging as an integral solution to meeting rapid energy demand growth, energy security concerns, price volatility in power and gas and the drive to achieve net-zero targets.

At BLG, our multidisciplinary team of expert energy lawyers support clients across the Canadian legal landscape in navigating nuclear energy and energy transition matters. Our experienced team offers unparalleled insight into energy transactions, regulation, and the critical role of nuclear power in a low-carbon future.

We are recognized for our expertise in transactional and regulatory energy law and have significant experience in nuclear law, advising a range of nuclear technology service providers and acting for developers on pioneering projects relating to nuclear liability acts and regulatory processes.

At BLG, our deep sector knowledge and up-to-date insight into the nuclear industry equip us to provide you with timely, relevant, and strategic legal advice, tailored to this rapidly evolving landscape.

Nuclear Expertise:

Transactions

Our firm is trusted by clients ranging from developers, utilities, sponsors, governmental bodies, project financiers and technology providers in the nuclear industry. We use our extensive experience in development, financing, construction, refurbishment and life extension of nuclear projects to meet our client’s objectives.

Regulatory

We are experts in the Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act, its predecessor the Nuclear Liability Act and the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and other key pieces of legislation in the nuclear sector, including the Nuclear Fuel Waste and the Impact Assessment Act and Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Our team offers significant experience regarding the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulatory processes for various nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs) as well as the regulatory regimes across Canada that apply to rate regulated electricity generators, including the Ontario Energy Board.

ESG

We assist energy and power clients decipher and navigate ESG factors including reporting frameworks, responsible waste disposal, environmental compliance, workplace safety, employment and labour relations and corporate governance.

Indigenous Matters

Nuclear developments require trusted legal advisors who are respectful of and thoroughly versed in issues relating to First Nation, Inuit and Métis governments, nations and organizations in Canada. Our dedicated Indigenous law practice assists clients in the energy and power industry navigating complex legal questions in Indigenous law and building relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Experience

Acted for Candu Energy Inc. as a member of a consortium to design and construct a BWRX-300 (300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation small modular reactor) at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington Site.
Acting for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) on their initiative to host one or more “first of a kind” small modular reactor demonstration projects on one or more sites owned by AECL (including Chalk River Laboratories and Whiteshell Laboratories) as well as additional matters relating to Chalk River Laboratories.
Underwriter's counsel on a US$747.6 million bought deal offering of common shares by Cameco Corporation.
Cameco Corporation in its $187 million acquisition with Orano Canada Inc. of a 7.875 per cent participating interest in the Cigar Lake Uranium Mine Joint Venture from Idemitsu Canada Resources Ltd.
Agents' counsel on a private placement by Cameco Corporation of a US$500 million principal amount of 4.94 per cent senior unsecured debentures.
Acting for a consortium of indigenous communities on a proposed equity investment in a small modular nuclear reactor.
Acting for various industry participants advising on the Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act.
Counsel to a community on the proposed deep geological repository from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
Acting for Terrestrial Energy Inc. in connection with a design competition process for a small modular nuclear reactor.
Counsel to the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in respect of various procurements, including Large Renewable Procurement, Energy From Waste, Hydroelectric Contract Initiative, and Industrial Electricity Incentive Program.
Counsel to various nuclear suppliers and proponents on various projects, including proponent who bid on AECL outsourcing.
CIBC Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as joint bookrunners, in Cameco's US$747.6 million bought deal offering.
Syndicate of agents led by TD Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets and Scotiabank in Cameco Corporation's C$500 million private placement offering of Senior Unsecured Debentures.
Syndicate of agents led by RBC Capital Markets, TD Securities Inc. and CIBC Capital Markets in Cameco Corporation's $400 million private placement offering of Senior Unsecured Debentures.
Red Cloud Securities Inc., as sole underwriter and bookrunner, in Global Atomic Corporation's $56 million bought deal offering.
Canaccord Genuity Corp as co-lead agents in IsoEnergy Ltd.'s C$36.6 million private placement of subscription receipts.
Syndicate of underwriters co-led by Eight Capital and Haywood Securities Inc. in IsoEnergy Ltd.'s $23 million bought deal flow-through private placement.

Acted for Candu Energy Inc. as a member of a consortium to design and construct a BWRX-300 (300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation small modular reactor) at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington Site.
Acting for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) on their initiative to host one or more “first of a kind” small modular reactor demonstration projects on one or more sites owned by AECL (including Chalk River Laboratories and Whiteshell Laboratories) as well as additional matters relating to Chalk River Laboratories.
Underwriter's counsel on a US$747.6 million bought deal offering of common shares by Cameco Corporation.
Cameco Corporation in its $187 million acquisition with Orano Canada Inc. of a 7.875 per cent participating interest in the Cigar Lake Uranium Mine Joint Venture from Idemitsu Canada Resources Ltd.
Agents' counsel on a private placement by Cameco Corporation of a US$500 million principal amount of 4.94 per cent senior unsecured debentures.
Acting for a consortium of indigenous communities on a proposed equity investment in a small modular nuclear reactor.
Acting for various industry participants advising on the Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act.
Counsel to a community on the proposed deep geological repository from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization.
Acting for Terrestrial Energy Inc. in connection with a design competition process for a small modular nuclear reactor.
Counsel to the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in respect of various procurements, including Large Renewable Procurement, Energy From Waste, Hydroelectric Contract Initiative, and Industrial Electricity Incentive Program.
Counsel to various nuclear suppliers and proponents on various projects, including proponent who bid on AECL outsourcing.
CIBC Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as joint bookrunners, in Cameco's US$747.6 million bought deal offering.
Syndicate of agents led by TD Securities Inc., RBC Capital Markets and Scotiabank in Cameco Corporation's C$500 million private placement offering of Senior Unsecured Debentures.
Syndicate of agents led by RBC Capital Markets, TD Securities Inc. and CIBC Capital Markets in Cameco Corporation's $400 million private placement offering of Senior Unsecured Debentures.
Red Cloud Securities Inc., as sole underwriter and bookrunner, in Global Atomic Corporation's $56 million bought deal offering.
Canaccord Genuity Corp as co-lead agents in IsoEnergy Ltd.'s C$36.6 million private placement of subscription receipts.
Syndicate of underwriters co-led by Eight Capital and Haywood Securities Inc. in IsoEnergy Ltd.'s $23 million bought deal flow-through private placement.