The Ontario government is investing $18 million to increase production of life-saving medical isotopes at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor. This investment will expand operations to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, create 16 new, good-paying jobs in Hamilton and produce custom medical isotopes for up to 84,000 treatments each year. As part of the government's plan to protect Ontario, leveraging the province's nuclear advantage will further position Ontario as a global leader in nuclear medicine innovation and build a more resilient economy in an increasingly competitive global market.
"We all know someone who has been impacted by cancer, and that timely, cutting-edge treatment is critical to their recovery," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "This investment will ensure that the McMaster Nuclear Reactor can operate at maximum capacity, producing more medical isotopes and bringing more life-saving cancer treatments to market, to our hospitals and to our loved ones."
Each year, medical isotopes from McMaster provide treatment for approximately 70,000 cancer patients around the world. With more than 247,000 Canadians diagnosed with cancer each year, and two of every five Canadians developing cancer during their lifetime, the demand for precision radiopharmaceuticals is increasing, and so is the need for large-scale production of key isotopes. To meet this demand, the government recently announced the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario (NIICO), a new expert advisory panel that will help leverage Ontario's world-class nuclear fleet to double the number of medical isotopes produced in the province over the next four years.
"Our government is protecting Ontario's health-care system by advancing research and innovation to ensure timely access to life-saving medications and treatments across the province," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "With this $18 million investment to increase the supply of medical isotopes at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, we're fueling Ontario-made breakthroughs in cancer care and bringing world-class treatment closer to home for more families."
Expanding McMaster's operations will also increase its research capacity by 300 per cent, accelerating homegrown innovation in strategic areas such as radiopharmaceuticals, medical isotopes, nuclear safety and security.
"Ontario is doubling down and doubling production of nuclear isotopes innovation because it saves lives, powers our economy, and secures a reliable energy future," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. "This investment at McMaster will drive increased isotope production by running the reactor 24 hours every day, delivering more life-saving cancer treatments, research, and jobs for Ontario workers."
As announced in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, this funding will create good-paying jobs in the Hamilton area while further cementing Ontario as a global leader in the research, supply chain and manufacturing of medical isotopes.
"We are grateful to the Province of Ontario for this vital funding, which will allow McMaster to expand its operations to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This increased capacity will enhance our ability to serve cancer patients worldwide through the increased production of critical medical isotopes used in the treatment of prostate cancer," said Susan Tighe, President and Vice Chancellor, McMaster University. "The McMaster Nuclear Reactor drives innovation in nuclear medicine, clean energy technologies, and materials science, reinforcing Ontario's role as a global leader in nuclear technology."
Supporting Ontario's isotope industry delivers on the government's promise made in Energy for Generations, as well as its life sciences strategy, Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level. The plan features the importance of exporting Ontario's nuclear expertise, supply chain and skilled workforce to help position the province as a global superpower by supplying life-saving materials to health-care systems worldwide.
Quick Facts
- The McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Canada's largest nuclear research facility, is one of the world's top suppliers of life-saving medical isotopes, producing two key types of medical isotopes:
- Holmium-166, which is essential for fighting liver cancer, delivering radiation directly to tumors and minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue during treatments.
- Iodine-125, which is used in imaging and radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer, as well as tumours in the eye and brain.
- In July 2025, Ontario launched the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario (NIICO), a new expert advisory panel that will help leverage Ontario's world-class nuclear fleet to double the number of medical isotopes produced in the province over the next four years.
- Since 2018, the government has invested over $2 billion into the research sector, including support for 1,665 research projects that drive ground-breaking discoveries and create jobs across key sectors, such as life sciences, agriculture, auto manufacturing, and information technology.
Quotes
"As one of the world's top suppliers of medical isotopes, the McMaster Nuclear Reactor is a testament to Ontario's ongoing leadership in the discovery and commercialization of life-saving innovations. This investment will further fuel the goals of our government's Life Sciences Strategy and strengthen McMaster's reputation for excellence in radiopharmaceutical research."
- Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
"As the MPP for Hamilton Mountain, I'm proud of the Ontario government's commitment to expanding McMaster's isotope production. This investment ensures that our community remains at the forefront of medical innovation. It's support that translates directly into better health care, stronger communities, and new hope for thousands of cancer patients here at home and around the world."
- Monica Ciriello, MPP for Hamilton Mountain
"Expanding the production of life-saving medical isotopes at McMaster in Hamilton reflects our government's commitment to supporting world-class, made-in-Ontario health care innovations. This investment, alongside our Connected and Convenient Care and Energy for Generations plans, is strengthening health care delivery in the province and ensures that Ontario remains the best place to live, work and raise a family."
- Neil Lumsden, MPP for Hamilton East - Stoney Creek
"This investment is about saving lives. By expanding the reactor's capacity, we're ensuring that Ontario remains a global leader in medical isotope production and radiopharmaceutical research. These isotopes are critical for diagnosing and treating cancer, and this funding will help accelerate life-saving innovations developed right here in our province."
- Natalie Pierre, MPP for Burlington
"The medical isotopes produced in Hamilton have helped make Ontario a global leader in radiopharmaceuticals, a groundbreaking tool for the detection and treatment of cancers. The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research applauds the Ontario government's vision in expanding the supply of these life-saving solutions to patients, increasing their availability for researchers, and further accelerating made-in-Ontario innovations."
- Dr. Lincoln Stein, Acting Scientific Director and Head of Adaptive Oncology, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
"CNA welcomes this significant investment in Canadian medical isotope production by the Ontario government. McMaster's medical isotope production currently benefits more than 70,000 patients worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for Canada to maintain and expand this life-saving capability in the fight against cancer. This continued investment in McMaster's proven operations will strengthen Canada's leadership in nuclear technology, create good paying jobs, and help save lives."
- George Christidis, President & CEO of Canadian Nuclear Association
"For decades, McMaster has been a cornerstone of Canada's medical isotope sector, producing critical supplies for patients while driving world-class research. This historic investment to expand McMaster's capacity is essential to securing Canada's leadership in this field, meeting rising global demand, and enabling research into the next generation of promising isotopes."
- Melody Greaves, Executive Director & VP, Government Relations, Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council
"Medical isotopes are a powerful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and today's investment in McMaster's research reactor is a major step forward in saving lives. This is a proud example of Canadian research, talent, and innovation driving real-world impact. Expanding production of these life-saving isotopes will accelerate access to cutting-edge cancer therapies not just here in Ontario, but around the world. It's a testament to what's possible when we invest in our life sciences ecosystem and the people behind it."
- Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President and CEO, Innovative Medicines Canada
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