A private members bill provided support to the newly launched Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition.
A ceremony at BWXT in Owen Sound on October 16 celebrated the new coalition, which will support a national vision to increase the production, development and use of medical isotopes.
The City of Owen Sound, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) and the Nuclear Innovation Institute were joined by regional isotope supporters, elected government officials and community stakeholders for the announcement.
"Southwestern Ontario is uniquely positioned to grow as a centre of isotope excellence. Home to Bruce Power, Georgian College, and the regional hospital, the area is poised for success in supporting Canada’s medical isotope production, education, and research," according to a statement from the coalition.
"We now have a unique opportunity to support the important role Canada can play internationally in fighting cancer, saving lives, and providing hope with life-saving medical isotopes produced right here in our region. Our area is posed for success,” added Co-Chair and Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy
“With the demand for medical isotopes expected to double by 2030, efforts like this new Coalition are a step towards integrating government, industry and local partners with the production happening at Bruce Power. Initiatives like this will position the region to play a leading role in helping shape our isotopes future,” shared James Scongack, Chair of the CNIC and Coalition Co-Chair.
“Isotope production in our region offers an incredible opportunity for us to work collaboratively to understand and leverage the potential within the industry. Innovative technology, training and advanced research is happening now close to home, so by bringing these partners together we’ll be stronger," explained Jessica Linthorne, Chief Operating Officer at NII and Coalition Co-Chair.
And on the evening of October 17, the Ontario Legislature unanimously supported a private members motion from Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers that formally recognizes medical isotopes as a life sciences and commercialization strategy for the province.
The motion read: “That, in the opinion of this House, medical isotopes should be formally recognized by the Government of Ontario in its life sciences and commercialization strategy because of their crucial role in medical research, the projected expansion of the global isotopes market and Ontario's potential for international recognition.”
Byers said medical isotopes play a crucial role in research and have the potential to generate profound positive changes for the treatment of cancer in the years ahead. He pointed out Bruce Power is a world leader in the supply of Cobalt 60, a key medical isotope, and along with its key partner Saugeen Ojibway Nation, began commercial production in October 2022 of medical isotope Lutetium-177, a prostate cancer treatment.
"The global market for medical isotopes is expected to reach up to $30 billion US by 2030, with an average growth of 16% annually. With significant growth anticipated, investing in the isotope industry will not only save lives, but will also create high-paying jobs, encourage economic growth, and attract additional investment in Ontario," Byers noted.
“Given the opportunity and potential that exists and Bruce Power’s ongoing commitment to better health outcomes for Ontarians, it only makes sense that medical isotope production and export is part of our strategic approach to life sciences in Ontario, and we recognize the positive impacts it can have on our region,” Byers added.