SON, Bruce Power and a record investment for an Indigenous Nation
March 2, 2026
For the past 50 years, Canada has been a world leader in the production of medical isotopes.
Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) and Bruce Power’s Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin isotopes partnership is central to this production. Formed in 2019, it has played an instrumental role in supplying medical isotopes needed in the global fight against cancer. This novel collaboration has also produced payments to the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation that have supported restored the Saugeen Amphitheatre, Nawash Community arena and many other meaningful projects. It’s an inspirational example of using Ontario-based, groundbreaking innovation to drive economic reconciliation.
Now, SON and Bruce Power are taking their leadership in this space to a new level, announcing a $250-million milestone expansion to deliver isotopes backed by a provincial guarantee through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program. This historic partnership, inspired by a shared goal to better cancer treatment, includes the largest investment support for a single Indigenous Nation in Canada. Long-term investments like this will generate economic benefits for future generations of SON.
“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 & 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.”
OMERS has proudly been directly invested in Bruce Power since 2003, and we are thrilled about this landmark agreement to expand the isotopes business and are excited to invest in this initiative.
Now at this point, you may be wondering what isotopes even are.
Since the 1940s, isotopes have been used to treat cancer, enable medical imaging, keep hospitals clean and safe through sterilization, and more. Isotopes are part of a growing field of theranostics, meaning they can both be used as part of treatment or therapy and also for diagnosis of cancer. Some isotopes target the site of cancer cells to support accurate and early diagnosis, which can lead to better treatment outcomes. Other isotopes, like the Lutetium-177 produced at Bruce Power since 2022, can also be used to treat tumours, while largely sparing healthy cells. Cobalt-60 has been produced at the Bruce Power site since 1986 and is used both for sterilization of medical devices and treatment of brain cancer.
The Canadian Nuclear Association refers to medical isotopes as “the cornerstone of nuclear medicine,” a branch of medical science that utilizes radioactive sources, atoms, and molecules to diagnose, characterize and treat cancer. As a leader in this space, Bruce Power has also worked with other Ontario towns and OMERS employers to make a difference through the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition (SOIC).
Yet the fight against cancer cannot be won alone. This is why we are so proud to support the SON and Bruce Power Gamzook’aamin aakoziwin isotopes partnership, and the future it heralds.