Federal energy minister announces new isotope production system at Bruce Power

Bruce Power’s nuclear reactors have a long history of providing almost 30 per cent of Ontario’s clean, safe and reliable energy, and the company is harnessing the power of its home-grown CANDU technology to produce medical isotopes through its innovative Isotope Production System (IPS).

Tim Hodgson, federal minister of energy and natural resources, was at Bruce Power, Tuesday, to announce the installation of an IPS in Unit 6, to ensure a stable supply of made-in-Canada cancer-fighting medical isotopes for the world health-care community. This advances Canada’s role as both an energy and medical isotope superpower.

Bruce Power’s Unit 6 is the first reactor to be renewed under the company’s Life-Extension Program and Major Component Replacement (MCR) project. Returned to service in 2023, the unit will now not only continue to provide clean, reliable power to the province’s people, hospitals and businesses for decades to come, it will be capable of producing Lutetium-177, a targeted cancer therapy used across the globe.

“Ontario’s nuclear industry is one of our best made-in-Canada energy success stories, and continues to be a world leader in 2025,” said Hodgson. “Almost 60 per cent of Ontario’s electricity comes from nuclear, and the sector employs more than 89,000 Canadians and adds $22-billion to our economy each year. In addition, Canadian CANDU reactors produce a significant supply of the world’s medical isotopes – and a new Isotope Production System in Unit 6, will ensure Canadian technology continues to be instrumental in the fight against cancer worldwide.”

Building on the success of the world’s first commercial nuclear reactor-based production of Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) in Unit 7 and its expansion to double its capacity, Bruce Power’s new IPS in Unit 6 will further increase production capacity of the cancer-fighting medical isotope. The new IPS will also ensure a stable supply of Lutetium when Unit 7 is taken off-line for its scheduled MCR outage in 2028.

“This is an exciting time for Bruce Power and for our nuclear industry,” said Eric Chassard, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bruce Power. “I thank minister Hodgson for visiting the site today to get a first-hand look at all of the work we’re doing to operate and refurbish our units to be able to supply clean, reliable energy for Ontario and an abundance of cancer-fighting medical isotopes used around the world.”

Part of the funding for the new IPS will come from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund, which supports the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) to expand its partnership with Bruce Power.

This investment not only advances critical infrastructure but also provides direct financial support to SON, enabling greater participation and capacity-building. The expansion strengthens the collaboration known as Gamzook’aamin aakozwin — meaning “we are teaming up to fight the sickness” — which plays a vital role in the global fight against cancer while creating meaningful opportunities for SON communities.

“This project will benefit people at home and abroad,” said chief Darlene Johnston, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. “It’s about healing, opportunity, and working together to make a difference.”

“We’re thrilled to help bring these crucial isotopes to people who need them and to help fight cancer around the world,” said SON chief, Conrad Ritchie. “Our growing partnership with Bruce Power also brings opportunities to our communities right here at home.”

Lutetium-177 is used in targeted radionuclide therapy to treat prostate cancer and has approved and expanding applications in this area. Its precision enables the destruction of diseased cells while sparing healthy tissue, offering hope to patients worldwide.

For more than 40 years, the Bruce Nuclear site has been a trusted supplier of medical isotopes used daily to fight cancer, sterilize medical equipment, and protect food supplies. With 24/7 operations, Bruce Power can produce isotopes at a scale unmatched by traditional research reactors — while continuing to deliver clean, reliable electricity to Canadians.

Canada is emerging as a global leader in the isotope sector, with the expertise, infrastructure, and innovation needed to stabilize international supply chains and advance critical medical and industrial applications. As the global demand for isotopes grows, Canada is uniquely positioned to shape the future of this vital field.

“Considering the rising global demand for medical isotopes, Canada is building on its current capabilities, innovation and expertise,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president, as well as chairman of the Canadian Nuclear Isotopes Council. “Canada is in a strong position to further meet its position as a leader in isotope innovation.”

Scongack was recently appointed chairman of the minister’s advisory group, the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario, by Ontario energy minister Stephen Lecce, showing government support for the Canadian council’s Isotopes for Hope goal of doubling isotope production in Canada by 2030.

The IPS technology, developed in partnership with Isogen (a joint venture between Kinectrics Inc. and Framatome Canada), uses Bruce Power’s CANDU reactors to irradiate Ytterbium-176, transforming it into Lutetium-177 through a safe and efficient process. The irradiated targets are then processed and distributed to health-care facilities around the world.

“We’re excited to partner in the expansion of Bruce Power’s production of medical isotopes,” said Isogen president John D’Angelo. “This innovative technology has been a game-changer in providing the world health-care community and patients with a steady supply of the isotopes they use every day and will help meet the growing need.”



Tim Hodgson (fourth from right), federal minster of energy and natural resources, visits Bruce Power, Tuesday, to announce the installation of a new Isotope Production System in Unit 6; with him are Greg Nadjiwon, councillor of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation; Conrad Ritchie, chief of the Saugeen First Nation; Darlene Johnston, chief of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation; Eric Chassard, president and CEO of Bruce Power; David Harris, president and CEO of Kinectrics; James Scongack, chief operating officer and executive vice-president of Bruce Power; and Tom Uzzell, president and CEO of Framatome Canada