Ontario is starting to build the first of four new, small nuclear reactors, as Canada seeks to lead the Group of Seven industrialized nations in developing next-generation nuclear technology.

Premier Doug Ford's government has given Ontario Power Generation the green light to start construction on Canada’s first small modular reactor, a new nuclear technology to be built next door to the Darlington power plant.

Canada has approved the construction of the first mini-nuclear reactor in the West, beating Britain in the race to approve the technology.