Southwestern Ontario is an important piece of Canada’s isotope ecosystem.

Canada has been a leader in the global supply of isotopes for decades.

A significant portion of Canada’s isotope supply comes from the province of Ontario, where companies are providing reliable access to important medical isotopes.

In addition to producing and irradiating various isotopes, southwestern Ontario is home to a diverse network of companies and organizations that produce specialized equipment and goods to support the processing, transportation and handling of isotopes.

As Canada expands its international presence in this field, isotope communities like southwestern Ontario must explore new ways to promote collaboration.

What are isotopes?

Isotopes are generated by adding a sub-atomic particle to a stable isotope so that it becomes unstable, which allows the isotope to be useful in many different

applications.

More than 70% of the world’s supply of cobalt-60 is produced at Canadian nuclear power plants.

Applications of isotopes

Many isotopes are used in the practice of medicine. Diagnostic isotopes are used to characterize, stage and diagnose diseases like cancer.

Other isotopes are used sterilize medical equipment like gloves, gowns and masks.

The region’s role

Southwestern Ontario is an important piece of Canada’s broader isotope ecosystem.

Bruce Power is a global leader in the production of medical isotopes, currently producing two key isotopes—cobalt-60 and lutetium-177, continuing to explore more.

Partnerships

Membership

Regional Collaboration Member

Our membership reflects a growing and dynamic sector dedicated to promoting and supporting the research, investment opportunities, development and production of isotopes.

Member benefits

As a member, you will receive the following benefits while playing an active role in our sector’s ongoing development:

Join the collective voice for the sector and help position the region as a hub for medical isotope innovation and opportunity

Increased visibility within Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition's digital presence, presentations and publications

Gain access to sector research data and other intelligence not available elsewhere

Enhanced partnership opportunities by participating in conferences and engagement opportunities

Influence decision-making by joining our advocacy activities and networking with industry and research leaders

Find out how to become a

Regional Collaboration Member

Learn more

In 2023

A collaboration between regional leaders—including the City of Owen Sound, the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII), along with the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC)—built the foundation for the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition (SOIC).

34+

members

The SOIC includes more than 34 members—spanning healthcare, academic, industry and municipal organizations.

our members

Resources

Unlocking our isotope opportunity

Unlocking our isotope advantage: review of regional opportunities, a new look into how the region can accelerate growth as a global leader in the isotope sector, aligning with national priorities and support a resilient and future-ready isotope ecosystem—fuelling long-term economic development, job creation and innovation leadership for this rural region.

Stronger together

The Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition is a network of collaborative regional partners that believe in the promise and potential of the isotope sector across southwestern Ontario, leveraging the region’s many strengths.