Toronto – October 12, 2023 – Today, at the Toronto Global Forum, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) released its new advocacy report as part of the Isotopes for Hope campaign.
The campaign, launched in March 2023, centers on the goal of asserting and expanding Canada’s global leadership in the development, supply, and use of medical isotopes with the ambitious vision of doubling production by 2030 to meet rising demand. As the market is anticipated to reach up to $33 billion US in the next decade, Canada can build on its progress, capabilities, and expertise to become a global leader.
As part of the Isotopes for Hope campaign, the CNIC released its report entitled, “Isotopes for Hope: Canadian Leadership Needed Now More Than Ever.” In addition to emerging market trends for isotopes and opportunities for Canada in the global market, this report contains seven recommendations for government to best support the isotope industry.
The new advocacy report is part of the next phase of the Isotopes for Hope campaign. “Isotopes for Hope: Update on Recommendations” serves as an update to the CNIC’s advocacy efforts through the Isotopes for Hope campaign. The report summarizes the significant progress made since launch of the campaign identifies industry challenges where work is advancing and indicates focus areas for 2024.
“Since the release of the Isotopes for Hope campaign, we have made great strides in ensuring that Canada’s isotope industry has the regulatory, financial, and logistical supports needed to encourage investment and development,” said James Scongack, Chair of the CNIC. “Looking forward, Canada must draw upon successes achieved in the past to continue progressing on these recommendations to grow Canada’s isotope leadership on a global scale.”
Building on the momentum of the Isotopes for Hope campaign, the CNIC has also identified an additional area which Canada can exemplify its leadership in the international isotope community. In a new recommendation, the CNIC calls on the Government of Canada to join the Rays of Hope initiative. Rays of Hope is a global cancer initiative to improve access to cancer care and radiotherapy infrastructure around the world in low- and middle- income countries. Over 50 countries have already joined and the initiative has raised more than $38 million US to date. As a historic leader in nuclear medicine and the production of isotopes, Canada has an opportunity to take a more prominent role in this international campaign.
Announced at the Toronto Global Forum, this new recommendation will take Canada’s leadership to the next level and will help Canada have a long-lasting impact in the international health-care community. As an event that gathers international thought leaders across business, government, and civil society, the Toronto Global Forum provides a platform to discuss global challenges and opportunities in the isotope industry and how Canada can leverage its expertise.
As the Isotopes for Hope campaign continues to gain momentum, the CNIC and its members across Canada are well poised to collaborate with governments to identify ways to find solutions to industry challenges.
About the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
The CNIC is a coalition of science, healthcare and nuclear-sector organizations to ensure Canada remains a world leader in the production of life-saving isotopes by bringing awareness and supporting long-term policies at the domestic and international level that will save countless lives and support health-care innovation for decades to come.
To learn more about the CNIC visit www.CanadianIsotopes.ca and follow us on, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
For more information, please contact:
Melody Greaves
Policy, Government, and Stakeholder Relations Specialist
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
melody.greaves@canadianisotopes.ca