Former energy minister back in the power game as VP of Toronto-based Candu Energy

Former Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith, who resigned from cabinet two weeks ago after being shuffled to the Education portfolio, has resurfaced as the Vice-President, Marketing & Business Development for Candu Energy.

Smith, who served as Energy Minister from 2021 to June of this year, has been a strong advocate for nuclear energy both in Canada and abroad and was welcomed to the team at Toronto-based Candu, a full-service nuclear technology company providing nuclear power reactors and nuclear products and services to customers around the world.

Candu Energy is the original equipment manufacturer and steward of CANDU technology, under license from Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, a federal Crown agency which owns the intellectual property for CANDU reactor technology.

One of Candu’s partners is Ontario Power Generation, which has moved some of its executives to Durham Region already and will make to full move of its headquarters to Oshawa in 2025.

“We are delighted to welcome Todd Smith to our team. He has a proven track record of promoting nuclear energy and building strategic partnerships with industry, governments and other stakeholders around the world,” said Joe St. Julian, the president of Candu Energy parent company AtkinsRéalis. “He also has a deep understanding of the unique value proposition of CANDU technology … which can help address the global energy trilemma of providing clean, secure and affordable electricity.”

Smith resigned his seat and from cabinet August 16 to accept a job “in the private sector” less than three months after being handed the education portfolio. His destination was formally announced Friday.

He has served in cabinet since Premier Doug Ford’s government was first elected in 2018 but spent the longest amount of time in the energy portfolio.

Smith, who started in broadcasting and was the voice of the Belleville Bulls hockey team and later as news director of Quinte Broadcasting, said it was a very difficult decision to leave and he thanked his wife and children for their support over the years.

“It hasn’t always been easy,” he wrote in his statement.

“The life of a politician is hard and takes its toll. Especially when I was away from home as often as I’ve been over the past 13 years. I couldn’t have asked for a better support system at home.”

Smith served as the provincial representative for Bay of Quinte and was first elected in 2011.

At the legislature Smith also served as minister of government and consumer services; minister of economic development, job creation and trade; and minister of children, community and social services.

With files from Canadian Press