Ontario Supporting $250 Million Investment to Expand Life-Saving Medical Isotope Production at Bruce Power
March 2, 2026
Province keeping workers on the job and supporting the safe movement of people and goods in Eastern Ontario
February 27, 2026
Transportation
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RENFREW COUNTY — The Ontario government issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to design the expansion of Highway 17 from two to four lanes between the Town of Renfrew and Arnprior. Highway 17 is a critical link in the Trans-Canada highway system and a vital trade corridor, connecting communities across Eastern Ontario and supporting the movement of people and goods throughout the region.
“As President Trump’s tariffs continue to target families and businesses, it has never been more important to invest in the transportation infrastructure that will strengthen our province for years to come,” said Ric Bresee, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation. “Expanding Highway 17 will secure a vital trade corridor, fight gridlock and support good-paying jobs during construction.”
The province is twinning 22.5 kilometres of Highway 17 running from Scheel Drive near Arnprior to three kilometres west of Bruce Street near the Town of Renfrew. The first stage of the expansion project was completed in November 2023, when the province finished construction of a new bridge and interchange at Highway 17 and Calabogie Road.
“This stretch of highway is a critical artery in the Ottawa Valley, connecting communities, supporting our economy and carrying families safely home each night,” said Billy Denault, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. “This milestone is an important step forward for Renfrew County, and our government is getting it done.”
As Ontario remains focused on dismantling interprovincial trade barriers that cost Canada’s economy $200 billion annually, widening Highway 17 remains a key component of the province’s plan to protect Ontario by building a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant economy while expanding cross-country trade routes.
Quick Facts
- Ontario is investing $30 billion to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges across the province.
- In addition to the Calabogie Road interchange, three new interchanges will be built as part of Highway 17 expansion projects in Renfrew County.
Quotes
“Investments in transportation infrastructure are one of the most effective ways to strengthen Ontario’s economy during times of global trade uncertainty. Projects like the expansion of Highway 17 support local jobs and rely largely on domestic supply chains, ensuring infrastructure dollars deliver strong economic benefits. Highways 11 and 17 are vital, nation-building trade corridors for northern Ontario, and modernizing them will support industry, improve safety and keep people working across the region.”
– Walid Abou-Hamde
CEO, ORBA
“RCCAO is delighted with the progress to expand Highway 17, a significant and meaningful milestone for Eastern Ontario and our province’s infrastructure network. As a critical link in the Trans-Canada Highway corridor, this investment will enhance safety, ease congestion and support the efficient movement of goods and people. We commend the Government of Ontario for continuing to prioritize investment in critical transportation infrastructure that creates jobs, drives economic growth and builds stronger, more resilient communities.”
– Nadia Todorova
Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO)
“Today’s announcement is first and foremost about safety for the people who travel this corridor every day, but it is also a powerful investment in the future of the Ottawa Valley. Thank you for the province’s ongoing commitment towards strengthening our communities, supporting economic growth, and ensuring this region remains connected, competitive, and positioned to thrive.”
– Warden Jennifer Murphy
County of Renfrew
“As Mayor of Horton Township, I truly welcome the province’s investment in twinning the Highway 417 corridor, and I thank MPP Billy Denault for his advocacy on this important file. This will make a real difference for our residents by improving safety, supporting emergency access, and strengthening the everyday connectivity our community relies on.”
– Daina Proctor
Mayor of Horton
“This announcement is a huge step forward for the Town of Renfrew, and shows the Province of Ontario’s dedication to improving safety, strengthening connections to jobs and services, and opening the door to new economic opportunities for Renfrew residents. A four-lane Highway 17 will help our rural community thrive for many years to come.”
– Tom Sidney
Mayor of Renfrew
“Highway 17 is a critical corridor for our communities and for the broader Trans-Canada network. We appreciate today’s commitment from the Province to continue the twinning through Renfrew County and look forward to working together to keep this project moving forward and explore opportunities to advance timelines where possible.”
– Lori Hoddinott
Mayor of McNab/Braeside
Media Assets
Map showing the proposed alignment and interchanges of the future widened Highway 17 between Arnprior and Renfrew
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February 27, 2026
Finance
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KINCARDINE — The Ontario government is providing a provincial guarantee through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program (IOFP) to support a $250 million investment to increase production of life-saving medical isotopes. This guarantee is part of an agreement between Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) and Bruce Power and supports the province’s plan to protect Ontario and build the most competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy in the G7. Through SON’s expanded economic participation, the partnership will support hundreds of good-paying jobs, help Ontario meet growing demand in the global isotopes market and build on the province’s nuclear advantage to help stand up to U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.
“As part of our plan to protect Ontario, our government is proud to support a partnership that strengthens Indigenous participation in Ontario’s economy and expands access to life-saving medical treatments for people here at home and around the world,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “The partnership between Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Bruce Power will reinforce Ontario’s strategic position in medical isotope production.”
The provincial guarantee is the largest of its kind since the Indigenous loan guarantee program began in 2009. Administered by the Building Ontario Fund, the IOFP seeks to advance economic reconciliation and prosperity by enabling financial participation of Indigenous partners in Ontario-based infrastructure projects. As part of the 2025 Ontario Budget, the program was tripled to $3 billion and its scope expanded to include energy projects, critical minerals and resource development sectors.
“Ontario has a plan to double medical isotope production by 2030, advancing life-saving treatment for thousands of Canadians through a powerful partnership with Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Bruce Power and Ontario,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “With ongoing pressure from U.S. tariffs, our government is fortifying our economy by building this homegrown sector using Canadian CANDU technology to save lives, create jobs and improve the quality of life of First Nations. This is Ontario’s nuclear advantage at work.”
For more than 35 years, the Bruce nuclear station has been a global leader in the production of life-saving medical isotopes used to sterilize medical equipment and support precision oncology for treating tumours and cancers. This investment will help expand its world-leading isotope production capacity, enhancing Ontario’s role in delivering cancer-fighting treatments globally while strengthening the long-term economic partnership between Bruce Power and SON.
By facilitating this investment, Ontario is helping ensure patients have access to life-saving therapies while empowering Indigenous communities to participate meaningfully in Ontario’s clean energy economy — protecting Ontario today and building the future of the province.
Quick Facts
- The Bruce nuclear station generates about 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity and has been a global leader in medical isotopes for over 35 years.
- Currently, Bruce Power produces the cobalt-60 and the lutetium-177 isotopes.
- Cobalt-60 is used globally to sterilize surgical instruments, pharmaceuticals, implants and certain food products. Medical-grade high specific-activity cobalt-60 is used to treat brain tumours and breast cancer.
- Lutetium-177 is used in precision oncology to treat neuroendocrine tumours, prostate cancer and other emerging indications. Bruce Power began production in 2022 using a first-of-a-kind Isotope Production System developed with Isogen.
- The Building Ontario Fund plays a critical role in accelerating investment in high-impact, revenue-generating infrastructure projects in Ontario across six priority areas: energy, affordable housing, long-term care, transportation, municipal and community infrastructure and critical minerals.
Quotes
“This record investment and partnership with Saugeen Ojibway Nation ensures that First Nations are key partners in the future of Ontario’s nuclear advantage. We are seizing the opportunity to strengthen economic reconciliation, support workforce development and produce life-saving technology.”
– Greg Rickford
Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation
“Ontario is strengthening its position as a global leader in the production of medical isotopes by expanding the supply chains that deliver life-saving treatments to patients. The new partnership between Bruce Power and Saugeen Ojibway Nation will create good-paying jobs, expand domestic production and reinforce Ontario’s role as a trusted supplier of cutting-edge cancer therapies.”
– Vic Fedeli
Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
“Our government is protecting Ontario’s health-care system as a global leader in nuclear medicine to ensure timely access to life-saving medications and treatments across the province. By investing to expand the partnership between Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Bruce Power and increase the production of medical isotopes, we’re fueling Ontario-made breakthroughs in cancer care and bringing world-class treatment closer to home for more families.”
– Sylvia Jones
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
“Bruce Power and Saugeen Ojibway Nation are working together to deliver crucial, cancer-fighting medical isotopes while creating lasting prosperity for communities. The partnership strengthens local economies, supports reconciliation and ensures that families across Huron-Bruce and beyond benefit from Ontario’s leadership in clean energy and innovation in health care.”
– Lisa Thompson
MPP for Huron—Bruce
“A big part of Ontario’s nuclear advantage is powered right here in Bruce County. Nuclear technology is being used to save lives, and I welcome today’s announcement that furthers this in partnership and collaboration with Saugeen Obijway Nation.”
– Paul Vickers
MPP for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound
“This partnership is about more than producing isotopes — it’s about fighting cancer and creating long-term prosperity. 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.”
– James Scongack
Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President, Bruce Power
“This agreement represents a transformative opportunity for our people. It ensures stable, predictable revenues for generations while strengthening our role in the global medical isotope market.”
– Chief Conrad Ritchie
Saugeen First Nation
“Economic reconciliation with Bruce Power and Ontario is important to us and this partnership is a great step along that path. Together, we are supporting producing critical life-saving treatments.”
– Acting Chief Jessica Keeshig-Martin
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
“This provincial guarantee shows how the Building Ontario Fund enables Indigenous ownership in major, revenue‑generating projects. By partnering with Bruce Power and SON, we are helping create long‑term economic opportunities for First Nations while supporting innovation in Ontario.”
– Michael Fedchyshyn
CEO, Building Ontario Fund
“The Municipality of Kincardine celebrates this significant announcement. The provincial government’s proactive investment indicates and reinforces its commitment to isotope production through community collaboration. We are pleased that Saugeen Ojibway Nation and Bruce Power will be working together to advance isotope production technology.”
– Kenneth Craig
Mayor of Kincardine
“Through the Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin partnership, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, in collaboration with Bruce Power, is leading a made in Ontario solution that saves lives and drives innovation. With the province’s support, this investment in the expanded partnership of isotope production will secure a reliable supply of cancer fighting treatments, create new jobs, advance economic reconciliation and strengthen Ontario’s global leadership in health care, all while delivering lasting benefits to communities across Bruce County.”
– Luke Charbonneau
Warden of Bruce County and Mayor for the Town of Saugeen Shores
Additional Resources
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Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program
Discover why nuclear isotopes are important for cancer research