Walker’s isotope resolution is fully supported at Queen’s Park

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Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound MPP Private Member Bill Walker’s resolution recognizing Ontario’s medical isotope industry was supported by all parties, he announced last week.

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The resolution of his private member was tabled and approved on November 3rd.

The resolution stated that the Ontario government “should recognize the supply of medical isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and the sterilization of medical devices as a strategic priority. . . ”

Isotopes should be a major strategic priority for the province “in its health, economic, export, interprovincial, energy, research and infrastructure planning and policy as Ontario recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. . . ”

The resolution goes on to say that the government “should leverage its existing strong foundations in nuclear technology, isotope production and supply chain, and cancer and health research to position itself as the world’s leading provider of life-saving medical isotopes” Made in Ontario ” . . “

“Our entire nuclear sector is truly world-class and at the forefront of innovation in the production of not only zero-emission electricity, but also life-saving medical isotopes,” said Energy Secretary Todd Smith in the press release.

“We will continue to position Ontario as a world leader in this area. Isotopes offer many tremendous opportunities for improved health and economic growth, and we look forward to advocating the many benefits that Ontario-made isotopes can bring to our province and our country. “

Walker’s publication mentioned upcoming Isotope Council trade missions in both Europe and the United States and that the Isotope Council “hopes to build on that momentum as it moves this proposal to other provinces across Canada and to the federal government.”

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The press release included comments from James Songack, chairman of the Canadian Nuclear Isotopes Council who is also Bruce Power’s Chief Development Officer and Executive Vice President of Operational Services.

Bruce Power produces medical isotopes and supplies more than 40 percent of the global supply of Cobalt-60, which is used to sterilize single-use medical devices such as syringes, gloves, implantable devices and masks, according to its website. Medical grade Cobalt 60 is used in radiation therapy to treat brain tumors.

Bruce Power also expects to supply the global market with another medicinal isotope, luetium-177, used in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and in the treatment of prostate and breast cancer, in 2022.

“The importance of Ontario medical isotopes to patients around the world knows no ideological or political boundaries,” Songack said in the press release.

The publication also quoted Karin Stephenson, scientific director of the Isotope Council and director of commercial operations for McMaster University’s nuclear operations and facilities.

Its research nuclear reactor is a world leader in the production of iodine-125, a radioactive isotope used to treat many solid tumors, including prostate cancer.

“This accepted application in support of the Ontario isotopic ecosystem will help provide essential support to the world’s health care sector and create an environment that supports and enables businesses that manufacture or use medical isotopes to thrive,” said Stephenson.

The CNIC was founded in 2018. It is an amalgamation of science, health and nuclear organizations.

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