In February 2026, Bruce Power and Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) announced a $250 million expansion of their partnership to deliver cancer-fighting isotopes and create lasting economic benefits for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation.
The expansion builds on a proven partnership between Bruce Power and SON, made possible in part by federal support through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE).
“This agreement represents a transformative opportunity for our people,” said Chief Conrad Ritchie, Saugeen First Nation. “It ensures stable, predictable revenues for generations while strengthening our role in the global medical isotope market.”
“This partnership is about more than producing isotopes — it’s about fighting cancer and creating long-term prosperity,” said James Scongack, Bruce Power’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President. “It is a powerful example of reconciliation in action. Together, we’re building a future where Indigenous communities share directly in the benefits of clean energy and medical innovation — delivering both health and prosperity for generations.”
Earlier CMIE funding through ISED’s Strategic Response Fund (SRF) supported the development and deployment of first-of-a-kind isotope production system (IPS) technology at Bruce Power. This helped to derisk the technical and commercial pathway for lutetium-177 production, demonstrate a viable business case for largescale investment and supported the long-term partnership for Bruce Power and SON.
The follow-on investment will support critical isotope investments, support hundreds of good paying jobs and reinforces Ontario and Canada’s leadership in the global medical isotope supply chain.
“As Canada reinforces its position as a global leader in advanced industries, strategic investments in our medical isotope sector are strengthening a high-value supply chain that supports long-term economic growth. By backing Canadian companies at the forefront of this field, we’re scaling homegrown expertise, expanding domestic production capacity and reinforcing Canada’s role as a reliable partner in global markets. This announcement will fuel the growth of Canadian industry champions, support hundreds of skilled jobs and drive innovation across our economy.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
The Bruce Power–SON partnership is widely seen as an innovative example of economic reconciliation in action and demonstrates how early funding from SRF and CMIE unlocked long-term, Indigenous led participation in strategic sectors of the Canadian economy.
About the SON-Bruce Power Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin isotopes partnership
Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin— Anishnaabemowwin for “We are Fighting the Sickness Together”—represents a historic partnership between Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) and Bruce Power to grow together and realize a shared vision of better cancer treatment and stronger communities. Since 2019, this innovative partnership has allowed SON to benefit from the operations and industry on its territory and advance Bruce Power’s commitment to economic reconciliation.
Learn more at https://www.fightingcancertogether.ca/ or visit our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
About the CMIE
CMIE is an initiative created to accelerate R&D investment, collaboration, technology adoption and training to enable Canada to lead in the innovation of medical isotopes. Through a unique combination of co-investment, cross-industry collaboration, and IP development, we are building a strong medical isotope innovation ecosystem.
We bring together a community of Canadians from industry, academia, and government to advance medical isotopes.