MINTO – Canada has been a leader in the global supply of isotopes for several decades, and to help continue that success, Minto has officially partnered with the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition (SOIC).
The coalition formed in June 2023 and is a partnership between the City of Owen Sound, the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council.
Isotopes are a type of atom and diagnostic isotopes are used to character, stage and diagnose diseases.
According to SOIC officials, a significant portion of Canada’s isotope supply comes from Ontario, where companies are providing reliable access to several important medical isotopes.
Isotopes also provide sterilization for one-time use of medical equipment.
“The coalition aims to unite southwestern Ontario’s isotope community and foster future opportunities to leverage the region’s many strengths,” officials state.
The town was invited to join the coalition in a Nov. 19 meeting where president and CEO of the NII Jessica Linthorne presented a delegation, along with Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy.
A report came back to council on Jan. 21, asking for staff permission to sign a partnership and to appoint the mayor and a staff member to be a delegate at the quarterly SOIC meetings.
The town will join the members in raising awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of medical isotopes and influence the decision-making process.
According to Linthorne, the coalition has upward of 30 members. Other municipality members include:
- Bruce County;
- Brockton;
- Georgian Bluffs;
- North Huron;
- Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh;
- Huron County;
- Kincardine;
- Grey County; and
- Hanover.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the motion.