Company cites support for Point Lepreau, local economic potential
AtkinsRéalis’s CANDU Energy announced last month it will open a new office in Saint John, a move the company says will reinforce support for the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station and deepen its presence in New Brunswick’s nuclear sector.
The company revealed the new workplace will be located in Market Square and is expected to create between 15 and 18 jobs, covering engineering, administrative, Indigenous relations support, business development and project execution roles. AtkinsRéalis said it plans to hire at least eight engineering experts by 2027 while renovations at the Market Square space are underway.
Why Saint John?
Maura McDonald, vice-president of key account and stakeholder management for AtkinsRéalis — the parent company of CANDU Energy — said a stronger provincial presence will make the company better able to support the station.
“I think you have really strong players at Point Lepreau working hard for their station every day, and for New Brunswickers, and making sure they care deeply about the reliability of that station,” McDonald said. “But I also think it’s the responsibility of the supply chain and suppliers like ourselves and the OEM of the CANDU product to stand behind the reliability of that station as well.”
McDonald told local officials the company and NB Power have discussed increasing its presence in the area to align capabilities and support for the station. She said AtkinsRéalis identified Saint John as a strong location for expansion, pointing both to the potential to support the city’s economy and to broader regional growth.
Context: Point Lepreau’s recent outages
The move comes as Point Lepreau has experienced several unplanned shutdowns over the past couple of years. The station recorded two unplanned outages in late summer: on Aug. 31, to repair a gasket in the turbine system on the non-nuclear side of the plant, and on Sept. 1, to repair a small instrumentation line inside the reactor building. The recent events underscore the challenges of managing an ageing reactor and the role external suppliers can play in enhancing reliability.
- Location: Market Square, Saint John
- Jobs: 15–18 positions; at least eight engineers by 2027
- Primary purpose: Support for Point Lepreau and regional nuclear sector growth
Local response and next steps
In an email statement, NB Power spokesperson Elizabeth Fraser-McAllister said the utility welcomes CANDU Energy’s decision to establish a presence in Saint John. AtkinsRéalis is working on renovating the Market Square office and will begin recruiting for the roles it outlined.
For Saint John, the announcement brings both employment opportunities and the prospect of a strengthened local supply chain supporting one of the province’s largest sources of baseload energy. Local contractors and service providers could see increased demand if the new office coordinates projects or maintenance support from the city.
Implications for regional industry
AtkinsRéalis’s expansion signals confidence in New Brunswick’s role within Canada’s nuclear industry and highlights Saint John as a hub for energy-sector services. The city already hosts a range of industrial and maritime businesses; adding a specialized technical office tied to nuclear operations could draw further skilled workers and suppliers to the region.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Office location | Market Square, Saint John |
| Jobs expected | 15–18 (including 8+ engineers by 2027) |
| Primary focus | Support for Point Lepreau; business development in NB |
As renovations proceed and hiring begins, officials and industry observers in Saint John will be watching to see how the new office integrates with local suppliers and contributes to stabilizing operations at Point Lepreau. For residents, the move represents a concrete example of how energy-sector decisions made at the provincial level can translate into jobs and infrastructure in the city.
