Canada’s National Projects: Betting on Nuclear & LNG While the Future Waits - CleanTechnica

Canada has recently designated five megaprojects as being in the national interest, with a heavy financial and climate commitment extending over decades. The approved projects are dominated by nuclear and LNG developments, which together account for nearly 90% of the adjusted projected spending—over CA$52 billion out of a total CA$58.8 billion when factoring in typical cost overruns based on historical data. Using Bent Flyvbjerg’s reference class forecasting, the article highlights that such megaprojects frequently experience significant delays, cost overruns (often exceeding 50%), and under-deliver on promised benefits. This pattern is evident in Canada’s nuclear initiative, particularly the Darlington small modular reactor (SMR) project, which, despite its ambition to be a G7 first, carries high risk due to its first-of-a-kind nature and historical nuclear project challenges. The LNG Canada Phase 2 project, estimated at CA$20 billion, also raises concerns. While proponents tout its efficiency and use of