The CNIC to provide expert resources to training programs for low- and middle-income countries in radiation safety, isotope production, imaging, radiochemistry and more starting in 2026
VIENNA, Austria – February 23, 2026 – On Friday, February 20, at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), James Scongack, Chair of the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC), and IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi met to discuss Canada’s planned contributions to the global Rays of Hope initiative.
This discussion builds upon the Practical Arrangements signed by the CNIC and the IAEA in March 2025, which set out a framework to leverage the CNIC’s network and existing relationships with Canadian industry partners, hospitals, and governments to encourage support for Rays of Hope.
Rays of Hope is a global cancer initiative led by the IAEA that aims to expand access to cancer care and radiotherapy infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Due to lack of access, LMICs experience over 70% of cancer deaths, yet these countries receive only 5% of global spending in this area. The Rays of Hope initiative is working to close this gap by delivering life-saving equipment, training, technical expertise and support to cancer patients in LMICs when they need it most.
Since the initiative began in late 2022, more than 20 countries have contributed over US$105 million to support more than 30 countries around the globe. These projects have delivered essential radiotherapy and medical imaging machines, in addition to training for medical professionals to operate the equipment and provide diagnostics and treatments.
The announcement made today by the CNIC outlines Canada’s first ever set of in-kind contributions to IAEA activities in the area of isotope production for medical isotopes and will explore opportunities to develop:
- An isotope production and radiation safety training program to be primarily hosted at Bruce Power in 2026 to welcome a class of regulators from LMICs to learn about technical fundamentals of nuclear isotope production, processing, and radiation safety culture.
- A proposed multi-disciplinary technical training program hosting at London Health Sciences Centre and St Josephs’ Hospital, leading Canadian hospitals, that covers hands-on training in radiochemistry and production, radiolabelling, quality control, dosimetry, medical imaging, patient delivery, and more, in support of the Rays of Hope initiative.
- The development of an IAEA- and Canadian-made collaboration on e-learning and virtual training packages. Under this activity, the CNIC will leverage resources, materials, and in-house expertise within its member companies and organizations, which can be deployed by the IAEA to support LMICs.
“Today’s announcement reflects the next step in our committed, forward-looking partnership between Canada and the IAEA,” said James Scongack, Chair of the CNIC. “While we recognize Canada’s current leadership in the global medical isotope community, we also must acknowledge that we face a responsibility to take an active role in supporting increased access to life-changing isotopes for patients around the world.”
“Together, we are expanding the reach of life saving technologies,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “By combining Canada’s strengths in isotope production, processing, and quality control with the reach and expertise of the IAEA Rays of Hope initiative, we are helping countries build the professional competence needed to deliver safe and effective treatments.”
“As Ambassador of Canada to the United Nations in Vienna, I can confirm our strong commitment to strengthening global health through collaboration and technical expertise,” said Ambassador Alison Grant. “Through its extensive leadership in medical nuclear isotopes, Canada is proud to support the IAEA’s Rays of Hope initiative, helping expand access to life‑saving cancer diagnostics and treatment in countries that need it most.”
“Canada is proud to work alongside the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council to expand access to life-saving cancer care around the world,” said The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “By leveraging Canadian expertise in isotope production and training, we are doing our part to strengthen global health outcomes and ensure more patients, in more countries, can access the care they deserve. This is part of how we leverage our nuclear energy expertise to become a clean energy superpower while supporting our allies in building the world we want.”
“Canadian CANDU technology is among the world’s top isotope producers that is saving lives and instilling hope for millions of individuals combating cancer each year,” said The Honourable Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines. “Through Rays of Hope, Ontario is stepping up to export our expertise, having developed one of the most advanced medical isotope supply chains on earth. I was proud to launch the ‘Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario’, with one aim: double medical isotope production by 2030 — saving more lives in Canada and the world.”
To support next steps, the CNIC and IAEA have established a technical working group to advance on the three areas of activity, working towards delivering the training programs and e-learning materials towards the end of 2026.
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 115 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.
For more information, please contact:
Evan Cameron
Manager, Public Affairs & Communications
Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
evan.cameron@canadianisotopes.ca