Harper Government Investment in Thunder Bay Cyclotron to Support Production of Medical Isotopes

News Release

April 7, 2015 — Thunder Bay, Ontario — Industry Canada/FedNor

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), today highlighted the important contribution the Harper Government is making to improving access to medical isotopes for Canadians while participating in the official opening of the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute (TBRRI) Cyclotron.

FedNor's contribution of $4 million to the TBRRI for the new cyclotron will help ensure a dependable supply of medical isotopes used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer for patients in Northwestern Ontario.

Quick Facts

TBRRI'S 28-tonne cyclotron will produce isotopes to be used in medical research, the development of medical devices and new treatment options that ultimately will be made available in the global marketplace.
Once commissioned, the project will support 20 new jobs in its first year and that number is expected to grow to 80 after five years. Approximately 100 direct and indirect jobs were created during the two-year construction phase of the initiative.
In 2007, the Harper Government invested $14.7 million through FedNor to support molecular medicine research through the establishment of the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute.
Separately, since 2010, the Harper Government has also committed $60 million through the Isotope Technology Acceleration Program and Non-reactor-based Isotope Supply Contribution Program, for research and development of alternative technologies, specifically cyclotrons and linear accelerators, for the production of the key medical isotope technetium-99 (Tc-99m).

Quotes

“It's a special day here in Northwestern Ontario as we celebrate this important milestone in scientific research. I would like to offer my congratulations to the team that spearheaded this initiative that will help improve patient lives and create high-quality jobs here in Thunder Bay and across the North.”
- The Honourable Greg Rickford
Canada's Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario

Associated Links

To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca and follow us on Twitter @FedNor.

Contacts

Alexandra Lemieux
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Greg Rickford
613-996-2007
Alexandra.Lemieux@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca

Kim Fewchuk
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-971-4112 or 1-877-333-6673 Ext 306

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Harper Government Investment in Thunder Bay Cyclotron to Support Production of Medical Isotopes

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