ONTARIO WELCOMES $250,000 DONATION TO BRING ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS TO DURHAM
REGION
New gamma camera will help detect cancer earlier and improve patient outcomes
April 07, 2026
Ministry of Energy and MinesOSHAWA — The Ontario government is welcoming a $250,000 donation over five years
from Laurentis Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation (OPG),
to support the purchase of a new gamma camera at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. The
camera is a critical diagnostic imaging tool that uses medical isotopes to help
detect and monitor cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. This investment
will help doctors diagnose, track, and monitor disease in over 6,000 patients
every year across Durham Region and delivers on the government’s plan to
leverage the province’s nuclear advantage to further position Ontario as a
global leader in nuclear medicine innovation in an increasingly competitive
global market.
“This investment is about delivering faster diagnoses and better outcomes for
families across Durham Region,” said Rudy Cuzzetto, Parliamentary Assistant to
the Minister of Energy and Mines. “By expanding access to advanced tools like
gamma cameras, we are helping detect cancer and other diseases earlier, when it
is most treatable. Backed by Ontario’s global leadership in medical isotopes,
this donation strengthens our ability to connect patients with the care they
need, closer to home, and reinforces our commitment to a stronger, more
resilient health care system.”
Ontario is a global leader in medical isotopes, supporting 8,500 Canadian jobs
and saving lives around the world. With more than 50 per cent of the world’s
isotopes produced in Ontario’s CANDU nuclear reactors, isotopes such as
molybdenum-99, yttrium-90, and lutetium-177 power advanced imaging technologies
like gamma cameras and play a key role in detecting, diagnosing, and treating
diseases and illnesses earlier and more effectively. Every year, more than
247,000 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer, and two of every five will develop
cancer during their lifetime, increasing the demand for precision therapies,
including those from medical isotopes.
“This generous donation reflects a natural alignment between Laurentis Energy
Partners’ expertise in nuclear innovation and the life-saving nuclear medicine
scans happening at Lakeridge Health,” said Yves Gadler, CEO, Lakeridge Health
Foundation. “By supporting this technology, Laurentis is helping us raise more
awareness about the importance of diagnostic imaging and the tools our experts
need to deliver exceptional patient care, close to home. On behalf of our Board
of Directors, Foundation team and Lakeridge Health colleagues – thank you for
advancing health care in Durham Region and beyond.”
Through the Nuclear Isotope Innovation Council of Ontario, the province has an
ambitious plan to double its isotope production by 2030to ensure more people around the world have access to the life-saving treatments
they need. With the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station Refurbishment Projectcompleted four and a half months ahead of schedule and $150 million under
budget, planned nuclear refurbishmentsand new builds, as well as the construction of the G7’s first small modular
reactor (SMR),
Ontario is well positioned to reach its goal of doubling isotope productionover the next four years to grow its share of the fast-expanding isotope market.
“Investing in this new medical equipment represents a meaningful step forward in
patient care and I wish to thank Laurentis Energy Partners for their generous
donation toward the purchase of a new Gamma Camera” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for
Durham. “Early detection and screening for cancer and other life-threatening
illnesses enhances the life-changing opportunity for an early diagnosis for
patients, and we are thankful to our community partners like Laurentis Energy
for their contributions that directly improve the health and well-being of our
community.”
To support the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province’s first-ever
integrated energy plan, Energy for Generations,
is laying the groundwork to expand the province’s nuclear advantage and deliver
on its life sciences strategy, Taking Sciences to the Next Level.
The plan features the importance of boosting isotope production, securing supply
chains and building the skilled workforce needed at the province’s nuclear
reactors, research facilities and other specialized companies to ensure Ontario
remains competitive and resilient in the rapidly growing global isotope market.
QUICK FACTS
* Ontario is reinforcing its position as a global leader in the production of
life-saving medical isotopes, which are an essential part of modern health
care and are used to diagnose and treat serious diseases such as cancer.
* Ontario’s medical isotopes are produced at the Bruce, Pickering, and
Darlington nuclear generating stations, as well as at nuclear research
facilities at McMaster University’s Nuclear Reactor in Hamilton, and at
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River.
* In February 2026, the government announced a provincial loan guarantee
through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program to support a $250
million investment by Saugeen Ojibway Nation
to
expand their partnership with Bruce Power to increase the production of
life‑saving medical isotopes, strengthening Indigenous participation and
Ontario’s global leadership in cancer‑fighting treatments.
* In December 2025, the government announced a $138 million investment from
AtomVie Global Radiopharma Inc.
,
a leading manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals, to expand its facility in
Hamilton. Ontario is supporting the project with up to $5 million through the
Invest Ontario Fund, to sustain 131 existing jobs, create 70 new high-paying
positions and expand the domestic manufacturing capacity of
radiopharmaceuticals.
QUOTES
“Ontario’s nuclear advantage is saving lives. Made-in-Ontario medical isotopes
help with early detection and prevention of cancer, afflicting over 200,000
Canadians diagnosed this year alone. Ontario is a world leader in nuclear
innovation, with an ambitious plan to double isotope production by 2030. This
contribution coupled with Ontario’s plan to double isotope production will
detect cancer earlier and treat patients faster.”
– Stephen Lecce
Minister of Energy and Mines
“On behalf of the province, I want to thank Laurentis Energy Partners for this
generous contribution to Lakeridge Health. This investment will directly support
earlier detection, faster diagnoses, and better outcomes for patients across
Durham Region. By expanding access to advanced diagnostic tools like this gamma
camera, more people will be able to start treatment sooner and receive the care
they need, when and where they need it.”
– Sylvia Jones
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
“Today’s investment is great news for patients and families across Durham
Region. By supporting the purchase of a new gamma camera at Lakeridge Health
Oshawa, our Government is improving access to advanced diagnostic imaging that
helps detect cancer earlier and save lives. This donation will strengthen local
health care capacity and ensure residents can receive timely, high-quality care
close to home.”
– Lorne Coe
MPP for Whitby
“At Laurentis, we’re proud to support health care close to home while advancing
life-saving innovation. The exceptional care delivered by Lakeridge Health is
strengthened by advanced diagnostic tools like gamma cameras, powered by medical
isotopes like those we produce right here in Durham Region. This investment
reflects our commitment to supporting Lakeridge Health and improving access to
timely, high-quality care for patients and families when they need it most.”
– Leslie McWilliams
Laurentis President and CEO
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
* Ontario Delivers Darlington Refurbishment Project Ahead of Schedule and Under
Budget
* Energy for Generations: Ontario’s Integrated Plan to Power the Strongest
Economy in the G7
* Ontario Launches Advisory Panel to Help Double Medical Nuclear Isotope
Production by 2030
* Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level
* Ontario Welcomes $500,000 Donation to Establish New Theranostics Cancer
Centre
