Meaningful by Name? Public Engagement in Canada’s SMR Licensing

<p dir="ltr"><i>As the world seeks a net-zero transition, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) have gained political traction and momentum in policy discussions as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, supporting the transition to clean energy. Public engagement is a crucial component for the adoption of energy infrastructure projects. This paper argues that while public engagement has been widely cited as ‘meaningful’ in Canada’s SMR rollout, the term lacks definitional clarity. Without a clear understanding of what constitutes meaningful engagement, the legitimacy of licensing processes may be compromised, particularly in projects that rely on broad societal trust, which can lead to public distrust and potentially cause project delays or even cancellation. The paper draws on document analysis of the Darlington SMR licensing process, including regulatory reports and stakeholder communications, to demonstrate how engagement was carried out. Even though public and Indigenous engagement is often described as ‘meaningful’ in Canada’s SMR process, that claim is undermined by the fact that no clear definition or measurement exists for what 'meaningful engagement' is. This paper contributes to current debates on sustainability policy, innovation adoption, and democratic accountability in infrastructure governance through public engagement.</i></p>