Toronto, Ontario – October 23, 2024 – Yesterday, the Government of Ontario released Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future: The Pressing Case for More Power, which details the province’s rising energy demands and the government’s path to proactively managing this demand. The report also announced the upcoming release of Ontario’s first-ever Integrated Energy Plan to align the energy sector behind the government’s pro-growth agenda through to 2050.
As part of this Plan, the Government of Ontario is planning for the largest expansion of non-emitting nuclear energy on the continent, driven by its commitment to long-term investment into clean energy. With this, the government also specifically recognizes the importance of nuclear energy in saving lives through the production of medical isotopes.
The production of medical isotopes in Canada relies on the continued operation of Ontario’s CANDU reactors at Bruce Power, Pickering, and Darlington, where much of Canada’s supply of several essential isotopes is produced. Used to treat various cancers and to sterilize single-use medical equipment, isotopes produced using nuclear energy and technologies have the potential to save patients’ lives, while keeping our hospitals safe.
“Ontario’s Affordable Energy Future makes the important link between the role of nuclear energy to Ontario’s future as a world leader in the production, research, and deployment of medical isotope,” said James Scongack, Chair of the CNIC. “The government’s plan not only recognizes Ontario’s nuclear future, but its future as an isotope superpower.”
Continued long-term investment into the nuclear isotope supply chain will also drive economic growth and private sector investment, and create meaningful jobs for the province.
About the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
The Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization. The CNIC supports over 95 members from across science, academia, healthcare, and nuclear-sector organizations dedicated to maintaining Canada’s position as a global leader in the production of life-saving isotopes. The CNIC raises awareness and advocates for long-term policies that support health-care innovation and will save countless lives for decades to come. To learn more about the CNIC visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
For more information, please contact:
Melody Greaves
Manager, Business Strategy
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
melody.greaves@canadianisotopes.ca