New Central and Eastern Ontario Isotope Alliance aims to unite and grow local isotope community

Clarington, Ontario – The newly launched Central and Eastern Ontario Isotope Alliance (CEOIA) will increase awareness of the area’s role in Canada’s larger isotope ecosystem and create opportunities that leverage its strengths and assets.

The CEOIA, which launched Friday, is a joint initiative between the Municipality of Clarington, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC), Ontario Power Generation (OPG) subsidiary Laurentis Energy Partners (Laurentis), and OPG, in partnership with RS McLaughlin Durham Cancer Centre, Actineer, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, and leaders from the isotope industry, healthcare, academia, and government.

In addition to uniting the regional isotope community, the CEOIA will support the expansion of isotope production, processing, and distribution, and work to resolve challenges in medical isotope supply that affect patients fighting cancer and other diseases. For more information, visit the new CEOIA website, www.CentralEasternOntarioIsotopes.ca, and the CNIC website, www.canadianisotopes.ca.

The partners of the newly launched Central and Eastern Ontario Isotope Alliance (CEOIA) will work together to unite the area’s isotope community. 

Quotes

“Our area is a proud host of cutting-edge technologies at every stage of the nuclear lifecycle. This innovative partnership will leverage the expertise and assets here to advance the isotope sector and benefit the province and the country. I am excited to work with our partners to create new local opportunities for economic development, job creation, research and innovation, and healthcare delivery,” said Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington and Co-Chair of the CEOIA.

“The CEOIA will build on the existing strengths and capabilities of the region’s isotope ecosystem, which includes world-class nuclear facilities, research institutions, and health care centres. Bringing these groups together will help ensure the security and reliability of Canada’s isotope supply chain and position the region as a global leader in isotope innovation and production,” said Jason Van Wart, President and CEO of Laurentis and Co-Chair of the CEOIA.

“Nuclear power generates more than clean reliable electricity. Isotopes harvested from Ontario’s nuclear fleet, including OPG’s Darlington and Pickering nuclear generating stations, are improving health outcomes for Canadians and patients around the world. We look forward to working with our industry, medical, municipal and other partners to further awareness and opportunities for isotopes,” said Steve Gregoris, OPG’s Chief Nuclear Officer.

“Through regional initiatives like the CEOIA under the guiding umbrella of the CNIC, Canada is working towards building a stronger and more reliable domestic supply chain for medical isotopes. With a vision to double Canada’s medical isotope production by 2030, CNIC strives to grow Canada’s isotope potential and meet rising international demand. Through industry collaboration at all levels, both regionally and nationally, Canada is one step closer to achieving this vision and improving patient access to cancer treatments,” said James Scongack, Chair of the CNIC.

“This partnership among the Municipality of Clarington, Laurentis Energy Partners, and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council is exciting news for our community and for the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station which enjoys the reputation as Canada’s Clean Energy Capital. With fifty percent of the world’s supply of life-saving medical isotopes being manufactured in Canada, the efforts of the Central and Eastern Ontario Isotope Alliance (CEOIA) will be a vital link to many cancer treatment centres and provide innovative strategies to address supply shortfalls,” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham.

“With Ontario building a once-in-a-generation expansion of nuclear power, we have an opportunity to make our province an isotope superpower. This partnership will ensure that Ontario remains in the forefront of nuclear medicine development and innovation and help us advance our position as a global leader in the production of life-saving medical isotopes,” said Todd Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Energy.

“Ontario is a global leader in health research and innovation. By working with our partners to produce medical isotopes right here in Ontario, our government is focused on ensuring that people fighting cancer and other diseases can have reliable access to the care they need, when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Ontario’s Minister of Health.

“I am proud to be the Member of Parliament for Durham, the home to a fantastic nuclear energy facility. Darlington station creates thousands of good jobs in our community and provides 20 per cent of Ontario's electricity. Nuclear energy is key to Canada's energy future. As Durham's Member of Parliament, I will continue to be a strong advocate for nuclear energy, as part of my belief that we must prioritize technology, not taxes, to grow our economy and make life more affordable for hardworking families,” said Jamil Jivani, MP for Durham.

Regional Collaborative Partners

• Municipality of Clarington
• Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
• Laurentis Energy Partners
• Ontario Power Generation
• RS McLaughlin Durham Cancer Centre
• Actineer
• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
• Nordion
• Boston Scientific
• Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries

About Clarington

The Municipality of Clarington, Ontario, Canada, is a vibrant nuclear host community known for its thriving energy sector, picturesque green space, historic downtowns, and as a great place to raise a family. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario at the eastern gateway to the Greater Toronto Area, Clarington is a place of possibilities. More than 107,000 people call Clarington home, and this population is expected to grow to 221,000 by the year 2051. Learn more in Clarington’s Community Profile and visit www.clarington.net. 

Clarington is also a founding member of the Canadian Association of Nuclear Host Communities, a not-for-profit association that supports current and future nuclear host communities in a proactive relationship with the nuclear industry and regulators.

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 85 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 healthcare 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, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.

About Laurentis Energy Partners

Laurentis Energy Partners (Laurentis), a subsidiary of OPG, is an innovator and leader in the clean-energy industry, leveraging its access to decades of nuclear energy knowledge and experience to deliver lifesaving radio pharmaceuticals and isotopes, complete refurbishment activities at CANDU stations around the world, execute Small Modular Reactor (SMR) engineering and services, provide inspections with industry-leading technologies and assist the global nuclear industry in nuclear waste and decommissioning. Laurentis has offices in the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton and Bruce County in Ontario, Saint John in New Brunswick, Regina in Saskatchewan, and Bucharest and Cernavoda in Romania.

Follow Laurentis on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn @laurentisenergy or visit www.laurentisenergy.com.

For more information:
Municipality of Clarington
Jennifer O’Meara
Policy and Communications Advisor
905-260-2844 or jomeara@clarington.net