Ottawa, ON – April 29, 2026 – To celebrate the achievements of Canada’s isotope sector in 2025, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) was pleased to host leaders from across the national isotope ecosystem for the Annual CNIC Awards Reception on April 28th at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.
The event welcomed over 150 attendees from across the entire isotope supply chain and clinical delivery network, along with elected officials, government representatives, and the media to celebrate the ongoing growth and success of the CNIC and its valued members and supporters.
Over the past year, Canada’s isotope sector has continued to build on its historic global isotope leadership, driven by innovation, partnerships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to enhancing patient care. From isotope production to patient delivery, several significant milestones have helped strengthen our production capabilities, improve reliability, expand access, and advance our Isotopes for Hope goal of doubling Canada’s production of isotopes by 2030.
This year, the CNIC presented nine awards to recognize individuals and organizations who have shown incredible leadership and championed advocacy in the Canadian isotope sector:
- Government Stewardship Award is presented to the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, for his direction in advancing Canada’s continued leadership in isotopes, supporting CANDU technology and isotope infrastructure, and working towards a federal nuclear isotope strategy.
- Provincial Government Stewardship Award is presented to the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Rural Affairs, for her work as a vocal champion for the role that isotopes play in regional economic development, advocating for greater opportunities for rural communities to participate in the isotope sector.
- Indigenous Partnership Award is presented toTD Securities Inc.,Pape Salter Teillet LLP, and McCarthy Tétrault LLP for their legal and financial contributions to enable the groundbreaking $250 million expansion to the Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin partnership in December 2025, creating lasting economic benefits for the Saugeen Ojibway Nation through isotope production.
- Ecosystem Innovation Award is presented toPacer Precision Logistics for achieving3 years without a single missed shipment of Lu-177 from Canada in 2025 –a major step towards reliability of supply and just-in-time delivery for patients.
- Academic Leadership Award is presented toBC Cancer for excellence in isotope production, research, and use, as well as workforce and educational opportunities. In 2025, the Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Program advanced pre-clinical development of PET radiotracers, clinical trials, and new radiopharmaceuticals.
- Health Champion Award is presented to Dr. Arjun Sahgal for his role in advocating for increased use of and access to radioisotopes and Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Canada. In 2025, Dr. Sahgal was also a key health contributor to the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario (NIICO).
- Not-for-Profit Advocacy Award is presented to Life Sciences Ontario (LSO) for their strong partnership with the CNIC as an advocate for isotope innovation and development within the broader life sciences community, fostering new connections and driving awareness.
- CNIC Chair’s Award is presented to Promation for their contributions to the isotope sector domestically and internationally. As an organization that has been with the CNIC since its inception in 2018, Promation’s unique pivot into the isotopes and radiopharmaceutical sector has contributed significantly to Canada’s leadership.
- CNIC MVP Award is presented to the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) for its commitment to the expansion of the Canadian isotope sector, and strong partnership with the CNIC. Through its Development Fund, the CMIE has contributed funding, jobs, and innovation, creating a stronger domestic isotope sector that provides early-stage support for promising ideas.
The CNIC looks forward to continuing to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Canadian isotope sector, reinforcing our commitment to innovation working towards our goal of doubling Canada’s isotope production by 2030.
Quotes
“On behalf of the CNIC, congratulations to all award recipients this year. Thank you to our growing network of members and supporters who continue to show remarkable leadership and advance Canada’s nuclear isotope industry. By working together, we continue to position Canada as a global leader and shape the future of nuclear medicine and patient care in Canada and around the world.”
James Scongack, Chair of the CNIC
“Canada’s isotope sector is saving lives, creating good jobs, and showing the world what Canadian nuclear leadership looks like. I am honoured to be recognized by the CNIC, and grateful to the workers, researchers, companies, healthcare leaders and Indigenous partners who are building this sector every day.”
Government Stewardship Award
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“Thank you sincerely for this recognition. My advocacy for continued growth of Canada’s isotope sector is to shine a spotlight on the strong partnerships and shared goals in the fight against cancer. I am particularly proud that rural communities and small towns are proving they can provide the necessary supports on which to build a foundation for the advancement of isotopes that ultimately generates hope around the world.”
Provincial Government Stewardship Award
The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Rural Affairs
“We are proud to have supported Bruce Power and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation on a historic initiative grounded in collaboration and shared purpose. This partnership reflects a thoughtful approach to Indigenous leadership and long‑term participation in Canada’s medical isotope sector. We are pleased to join CNIC in celebrating this achievement, which will increase the production of life-saving medical isotopes while delivering long-term economic benefits to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.”
Indigenous Partnership Award
Suzanne Murphy, Partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s National Energy & Resources Group
“You can produce it perfectly but if you cannot move it, it does not exist.”
Ecosystem Innovation Award
Michael Stopay, Chief Executive Officer, Pacer Precision Logistics
“This award recognizes the incredible work of our team and the power of collaboration. We are proud to contribute to Canada’s global leadership in isotopes and to work with partners across the country to strengthen production, reliability and access. Together, we are helping build the research, talent and innovation needed to improve care for patients today and into the future.”
Academic Leadership Award
Dr. François Bénard, BC Cancer
“We all have to do our part to ensure a stable supply of medical isotopes as our patients’ lives depend on them.”
Health Champion Award
Dr. Arjun Sahgal, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
“I’m honoured to be recognized by the CNIC alongside leaders who are advancing Canada’s isotope sector. This recognition reflects the important work being done across Life Sciences Ontario to strengthen our ecosystem, champion innovation, and support the critical role medical isotopes play in healthcare and research.”
Not-for-Profit Advocacy Award
Jason Field, President and CEO, Life Sciences Ontario
“Promation is honoured and humbled to accept the 2025 Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council Chair’s Award. The entire Promation team is truly grateful for this recognition of our shared vision in advancing the medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical industry through developing innovative process equipment and scale-enabling automated production solutions. This award reflects the passion and dedication of our team, our collaboration partners, and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to championing Canada’s goal of doubling its medical isotope production by 2030.”
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council Chair’s Award
Darryl Spector, President, Promation
“On behalf of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE), we are honored to be named Ecosystem MVP by the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council and thank CNIC for recognizing the leadership of CMIE members in building a coordinated, pan‑Canadian medical isotope ecosystem. Over the past three years, members across Canada have strengthened critical supply chains, expanded domestic isotope production, and accelerated the transition of innovation into clinical and commercial use. This work is delivering tangible benefits for Canadians by growing the sector, attracting investment, and improving patient access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Looking ahead, CMIE remains focused on deepening national coordination, advancing commercialization, and strengthening Canada’s global leadership in medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals.”
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council MVP Award
Owen Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization
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 120 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 health-care 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, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or please contact:
Evan Cameron
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
evan.cameron@canadianisotopes.ca