Ontario Jobs: Darlington SMR Contracts Boost GTHA Factories
Ontario jobs news: the province awarded 14 contracts to GTHA manufacturers for the Darlington SMR, with construction expected to support 18,000 jobs a year.
CanadaIn brief
- Ontario has awarded 14 supply contracts to manufacturers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area for the Darlington small modular reactor (SMR) project.
- The contracts cover parts such as transformers, pumps and specialised steel, and are expected to add more than $110 million to Ontario's GDP.
- Building the four SMRs is expected to support about 18,000 jobs a year, and running them about 2,500 jobs a year.
- The first reactor is due to produce power by the end of 2030.
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Organization | Government of Ontario / Darlington New Nuclear Project |
| Official source | Frequency News – Ontario awards 14 contracts for Darlington small modular reactors ✓ frequencynews.ca |
Nuclear power is creating new Ontario jobs in local factories. The province has awarded 14 contracts to manufacturers across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) to supply the Darlington small modular reactor (SMR) project, and it expects building the four reactors to support about 18,000 jobs a year. Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce announced the contracts in Scarborough on 6 November 2026.
What do the contracts cover?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Contracts | 14, all to GTHA companies |
| Supplies | Transformers, pumps, specialised steel and other parts |
| GDP boost | More than $110 million |
| Spending kept in Ontario | 80% of project spending |
| Example | Armstrong Fluid Technology, Scarborough: $3.9 million for a pumphouse enclosure and pumps |
Armstrong's finance chief, Robert Dietrich, said long-term work like this gives the firm confidence to invest in its staff.
How big is the Darlington project?
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Reactors planned | 4 |
| Cost of first unit (incl. shared infrastructure) | About $7.7 billion |
| Total cost of four units | About $20.9 billion |
| Jobs during construction | About 18,000 a year |
| Jobs once operating | About 2,500 a year |
| Power output | 1,200 MW, enough for about 1.2 million homes |
| First power | By end of 2030 |
The project is at the Darlington nuclear station in Clarington, Durham Region, and is the first SMR build in the G7.
Which jobs could grow?
A nuclear build and its supply chain typically need:
- Welders, pipefitters and millwrights
- Electricians and instrument technicians
- Machinists and fabrication workers
- Quality assurance and inspection staff
- Mechanical, electrical and nuclear engineers
These are common roles for a project of this kind, not specific vacancies.
How can I find these jobs?
Watch the careers pages of the companies that win contracts, Ontario Power Generation's official job listings, and skilled trades unions in the GTHA and Durham Region.
What it means for job seekers
- Skilled trades are in demand around Toronto, Hamilton and Durham.
- Nuclear experience pays off as more units follow the first.
- Suppliers may hire first, so target manufacturers named in contracts.
- Related: Ontario's tax cut plan aims for 30,000 jobs.
More openings: all Canada jobs
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs will the Darlington SMR project create?
Ontario expects construction of the four reactors to support about 18,000 jobs a year, and operations to support about 2,500 jobs a year.
Which companies won Darlington SMR contracts?
14 manufacturers across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including Scarborough's Armstrong Fluid Technology, which won a $3.9 million pump contract.
Where is the Darlington SMR being built?
At the Darlington nuclear generating station in Clarington, Durham Region, east of Toronto.
When will the first Darlington SMR start up?
The first reactor is under construction and is expected to produce electricity by the end of 2030.
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